Mu Ganlin

“Brother Jin, if we don’t save him soon, he might not make it through the night.” Bai Xian’s hair was disheveled, mingled with tears and sweat on her face. She held Meng Xihuan in one arm and gripped Jin Tao’s sleeve tightly with the other. Jin Tao sat there, glancing at the child in Bai Xian’s arms, and sighed heavily, “This… is his fate. How many times has this happened in our village this year? Treating him is just for peace of mind; if he can’t be cured, there’s nothing we can do. It’s up to his own fate. If he’s lucky, he might recover on his own like Old Wang’s child. If not…”

"Stop talking." Bai Xian interrupted, loosening her clenched hands, her gaze shifting from hesitant to resolute, and she walked straight out the door. "I'll fight for him." With that, she didn't linger any longer and ran towards the farthest wooden house.

When Zhao Peiming opened the door, Bai Xian was standing there, covered in dust from the wind and sand. He quickly led her inside, offered her a sip of water, and said reassuringly, "Please speak, Miss Bai."

Bai Xian drank the water in one gulp, knelt down and said, "Please, General, save me! Huan'er is ill and won't get better. I asked Brother Duan for help, but pinching his philtrum and drinking ginger soup didn't work." Zhao Peiming wanted to help her up, but Bai Xian insisted on not getting up. "I know that the discipline of the Sa Da Cavalry is strict, but I am really desperate today, so I came to you for medical help... Please save me!"

Zhao Peiming went to help her up again, and hurriedly said, "The military and civilians are united, they will definitely save her! Please wait a moment, Miss, I will go find a doctor right away." He gestured for Bai Xian to sit on the couch and rest for a while, but Bai Xian shook her head and only sat on the wooden chair in front of the table.

Zhao Peiming went straight to Xiao Hanjin's house, knocked on the door and called out, "My child is sick and needs immediate medical attention! Have Gan Lin bring the necessary equipment and come with me!" Gan Lin got up and looked at Xiao Hanjin, who nodded and got up to help her gather the medical supplies.

The two returned inside. Gan Lin glanced at the child before taking him in, saying, "His convulsions and rolling eyes are symptoms of seizures. Since he doesn't have a fever, it's most likely a chronic infantile convulsion caused by long-term fatigue." With that, he took a three-edged needle from his cloth bag, held it between his fingers, and pricked his ten fingers to let the blood flow. He was about to massage acupoints, but shook his head and gave up as soon as he touched Meng Xihuan's back. He placed the child in Bai Xian's arms and then got up to borrow Zhao Peiming's cooking utensils to brew medicine.

Bai Xian was puzzled and moved the child away slightly, saying, "If I may ask, why did you put the little brother in my arms again?"

Gan Lin, without turning around, continued preparing the medicinal herbs: "He has several old injuries from falls and blows, so massage is probably not suitable for him. Dietary therapy will be the best option for now."

Bai Xian nodded. She had often gone hungry in Chenping in her early years, so Meng Xihuan was naturally weak after birth. In addition, due to the chaos of war, he fell on the road and did not have time to receive proper treatment, which made him prone to illness. Thinking of this, she shed two more tears.

As they went back and forth, the villagers gathered around in the distance, discussing the scene with curiosity. Jin Tao carried water as if nothing was wrong, with Duan Houqi following behind him, saying nothing.

After drinking the Aconite-infused Decoction, Meng Xihuan visibly calmed down and soon fell asleep. Gan Lin couldn't help but sigh, "Such pain, yet he doesn't utter a sound; he's incredibly strong." Only then did Bai Xian notice Gan Lin's appearance, frowning as she said, "Divine Physician, you..."

“We met him halfway through our march. He was a highly skilled doctor who saved countless lives along the way,” Zhao Peiming said.

Gan Lin smiled nervously and said, "My name is Gan Lin. Although I am from Xinjiang, I have learned to speak Chinese well and have no ulterior motives. I would never harm you." He took two steps back and lowered his head.

“No, benefactor, you misunderstand,” Bai Xian said softly, looking down at the child. “No matter who they are, it is rare to find someone with a heart to help the world in chaotic times. I am already extremely grateful to have been introduced to you by the general.”

After hearing this, Gan Lin raised his head and stared at Bai Xian for a long time. He suddenly looked at Zhao Peiming and said, "Could this young lady be Brother Meng's..."

“Exactly,” Zhao Peiming replied, then turned to Bai Xian, “Now that you’ve married, you may live with him.” Zhao Peiming knew Meng Yuxing’s character; the fact that he hadn’t stepped forward for such a big event meant that Bai Xian hadn’t informed him at all.

Bai Xian smiled wearily and said, "The child is often sick, how can I cause him trouble?"

“Since we’re all in the same family, we should share this responsibility together,” Zhao Peiming said firmly.

Bai Xian didn't speak again. She turned slightly to block the light coming through the window and gently rocked the child.

Xiao Hanjin was holding off the villagers not far away when he saw the crowd suddenly surge towards the gate. Turning around, he saw a group of people walking out. "Brother Zhao!" Xiao Hanjin cried out as if he had been saved.

Zhao Peiming jogged forward, signaling everyone to be quiet, and said, "The child is fine now, everyone can disperse."

"Miracle doctor! Please heal my child too!" An old woman, clutching her child tightly, knelt down with a thud. An old man beside her, smiling obsequiously, tried desperately to pull her up, muttering something unintelligible. When he couldn't lift her, his expression changed, and he kicked her twice. Seeing this, Zhao Peiming quickly pushed through the crowd to separate the two men and went to help the old woman up himself. The old woman, having just been helped up, saw Zhao Peiming and, mistaking him for the so-called miracle doctor, knelt down again, refusing to get up no matter how much he tried to help her.

"Gan Lin! Come here!" Zhao Peiming turned around and called out.

Gan Lin hurriedly stepped forward and squatted down, saying, "I am a doctor, let me take a look." The old woman lifted a corner of the swaddling clothes, looked up and saw Gan Lin's appearance, stepped back, stood up and held the child in her arms, and slapped him across the face.

Zhao Peiming stepped forward and restrained the old woman, thus avoiding another blow. "What are you doing!" he demanded.

"Even Xinjiang dogs can infiltrate the army and become doctors! Come and see!" The old woman tugged at the people around her, her voice hoarse as if she were pulling on a rag. Her shout had an effect; the people around her, who had been scattered and making a fuss, suddenly gathered together in front of Gan Lin.

Zhao Peiming frowned, released the old woman, and helped Gan Lin to his feet as they retreated. Xiao Han couldn't contain herself and wanted to rush forward to demand an explanation, but Zhao Peiming stopped her with one hand.

"Let's see who dares to object!" Bai Xian stepped forward. At this moment, Meng Yuxing also arrived after receiving the news, took the child, and stood behind Bai Xian.

The crowd fell silent again, turning to look at Bai Xian. Her dress fluttered in the breeze, and one could vaguely see her legs firmly planted on the ground, supporting her frail body. She brushed her disheveled hair behind her ears and said, "Though the Divine Physician Gan Lin is from a foreign land, his heart is pure! Having cured my son's convulsions, he is willing to provide free medical care to everyone!"

People discussed Gan Lin's appearance—in reality, he was just a softer-looking man with lighter irises and whiter skin than the Han people. His life of wandering, just like the villagers, had long since worn down his temperament. Submissiveness was a skill shared by him and everyone else.

“Miracle doctor, can you take a look at my son? He’s been in pain here for days and can’t eat.” A man stepped forward, pulling a four- or five-year-old child along.

Ignoring the swelling and pain on his face, Gan Lin stepped forward and grabbed the little arm, saying, "It might be dislocated. Let me feel it." As he spoke, Gan Lin made a funny face to make the child laugh, and took the opportunity to put the arm back in place. Gan Lin took a step back and extended his hand, saying, "Shake hands."

The child raised his hand to shake it. The man exclaimed, "Truly a miracle doctor! Truly a miracle doctor!" Seeing this, some of the crowd couldn't contain themselves and began pushing and shoving, vying for priority treatment. Xiaohan then went back into the crowd to maintain order.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Gan Lin wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and greeted them with a smile. Although some people still had doubts in their eyes, they no longer shouted.

As the crowd gradually dispersed, Gan Lin settled the patients and ran to find Xiao Hanjin. Xiao Hanjin, preoccupied with self-reproach, didn't notice his approach. Gan Lin stepped forward quietly, startled, and said, "Brother?" Xiao Hanjin turned around, first with surprise, then lowered his eyes and said, "It was my oversight that I couldn't stop that old woman today. They were driven to desperation. I apologize to you on their behalf." He bowed, about to perform a proper greeting, but Gan Lin stopped him.

“Brother, I know. Since I’ve chosen this path, I’m determined to follow you. I have no complaints.” Gan Lin looked up at him earnestly. A child, only seventeen or eighteen years old, yet possessing such resolve. Xiao Han couldn’t help but sigh.

"You...you still have a lot to learn. I'll teach you." Xiao Hanjin gently touched the little face. A bright red handprint on it weighed heavily on his heart. They were about this age when they left home, and the hardships they endured along the way were unimaginable. Wind, rain, snow, swords, and spears had left many scars on their faces. Now, one of their former selves stood before him, and he had to protect him properly, as if he were nurturing his younger self again. "Does it hurt?" Xiao Hanjin blurted out.

Gan Lin awkwardly turned her head away, avoiding Xiao Han's view of half her face, and said, "It doesn't hurt. If she hit me, it will make me feel better, and that's fine too."

Xiao Han frowned deeply and slowly closed her eyes. Even if she could fight back, be more assertive, she would suffer less. But it was precisely this kind of personality she had. Did fate really have to show her mercy? Gan Lin didn't seem to be the type to be devoted to any one person or thing; he was more inclined towards universal love. If one day he were asked about the people he loved, he might say, "You all." At that moment, it would be another kind of despair.

Noticing Xiao Hanjin's expression, Gan Lin added in a low voice, "The child in the old woman's arms, I glanced at it, and it was already... dead."

Xiao Han was still in shock when she came to her senses. She sighed heavily and said, "You... don't take it too seriously. Life and death are unpredictable."

“I know. A doctor must heal himself as well as heal others. Those who can be saved accumulate merit and virtue; those who cannot be saved must be let go.” Gan Lin stepped forward and took Xiao Han’s arm, speaking earnestly.

"Boss, where did these stinky pigeons come from? They keep flying around the village entrance, and I can't chase them away even with a stick!" A man carrying a long pole ran up to Xiaohan and said sullenly.

Xiao Han was initially annoyed by the interruption, but then she thought, "A pigeon? There's only one possibility for a pigeon to find Half-Day Flower." Following the direction the man was pointing, Zhao Peiming heard the sound and was hurrying towards it. The pigeon seemed to recognize its owner, circling down. Zhao Peiming took the letter, skillfully pinched the pigeon, and prepared to take it back with him. Just as she had guessed. "Hey, boss, what are you looking at?" the man asked, puzzled.

"Tsk, look at our Brother Zhao." Xiao Han patted the soldier on the head, and the latter looked at him with even more suspicion.

Zhao Peiming crumpled the letter with one hand, carefully looked at the words on it, and a smile appeared on his face.

"...Boss, this...General Zhao has never smiled at us like this before, I...I'm a little scared."

"What are you afraid of! It would be a problem if he actually smiled at us like that! Do you even know whose pigeon that is!"

No, I don't know.

"Fool, these are Young Master Jiang Heng's pigeons. Do you understand?"

The soldier suddenly realized what was happening, almost cried out, covered his mouth and nodded, a strange smile appearing on his face.

"Boss, you're talking about men and men..."

"Shut up!"

Gan Lin seemed to have caught something and burst out laughing from behind Xiao Hanjin. Xiao Hanjin turned around and glanced at Gan Lin, whose eyes were narrowed to slits as he covered his mouth with both hands to suppress his laughter. He pretended to be angry and said, "Look at you, you've corrupted Gan Lin! Go away!"

What's on the letter?

Yuheng and Anshun only remember Tianquan, sharing the same moon over the border.