Chapter 11 Acknowledgements

"Alright, hurry up and get it to the commune clinic! On the way, try to keep your legs low to avoid too much jolting. This medicine can temporarily draw out the toxins and reduce the swelling, buying us some time."

Gu Baobao straightened up, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and spoke to Captain Li Guoqiang and several strong laborers who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

Seeing Gu Baobao's calm and collected handling of the situation, and then glancing at Li Hongbing, who, though weak, seemed to be breathing more steadily, Li Guoqiang made a decisive decision:

"Quick! Carry it on a door panel, hitch it to a donkey cart, and get it to the commune right away! Er Gou, you're fast, go to the commune clinic first to report the news!"

Another flurry of activity ensued.

Li Hongbing was carefully lifted onto the door panel, secured, and quickly headed out of the village.

The crowd gradually dispersed, each lost in their own thoughts. The Red Soldier's wife, profusely thanking them, ran after the vehicle.

Aunt Wang and the others surrounded Gu Baobao, praising her enthusiastically.

"Bold yet meticulous!!"

"He looks like a doctor!!"

Ye Ke had already quietly slipped away sometime earlier, but her back view looked rather dejected.

Gu Baobao didn't say much, but carefully washed her hands and utensils, and then silently returned to the sanitation point to continue tidying up her herbs that were half-dried.

Only she knew how fast her heart was beating beneath that seemingly calm demeanor.

Without the aid of modern medical equipment, relying solely on experience and limited local resources to handle emergencies puts immense pressure on the healthcare system.

Fortunately, her judgment was accurate and her actions were timely. With the help of that drop of spiritual spring water, Li Hongbing should have won a precious chance of survival.

[Ding! Emergency treatment of a snakebite patient, effectively stopping the rapid spread of venom and buying crucial time for subsequent treatment. Merit points +20! Host is awesome!]

The notification sound from Defu was so cheerful it was almost split.

Gu Baobao was too tired to argue with it, so she only replied with one word:

[Value.]

As evening fell, the setting sun bathed Qinghetun in a warm golden glow.

The aroma of stew wafted from the Gu family's courtyard.

Gu Baobao had just helped Wu Guixiang set the food on the table when she heard excited voices coming from outside the courtyard gate.

"Baby! Is Gu Baobao home?"

The door was pushed open, and Li Hongbing, supported by his wife and a young man, walked in!

Although his face was still a little pale and he walked with a limp, needing assistance, he was conscious.

Although the injured leg was still swollen, the terrible bluish-black color had faded considerably, and it was covered with clean gauze changed by the commune clinic.

"Hongbing? You...you're back? Did you give up the hospital at the commune clinic?"

Gu Jianqiang went to greet him in surprise.

Li Hongbing's wife, a simple middle-aged woman, had red and swollen eyes, but they were filled with gratitude.

She was carrying a small basket covered with a blue cloth, and upon hearing this, she quickly said:

"Let it go! Let it go! The doctor said that luckily we arrived in time. The herbal poultice was applied well and drew the poison out, preventing it from going to the heart!"

At the clinic, the doctor cleaned the wound, gave it an injection, and said to observe it for a while; there was nothing seriously wrong. He prescribed some medicine and told me to go home and rest. The doctor also said…

Her voice choked up.

"They also said that if the baby hadn't handled it so quickly and properly, the leg might have become necrotic, and maybe...maybe amputation would have been necessary to save the baby's life!"

"What? Amputation?"

Wu Guixiang gasped in surprise, patting her chest in lingering fear.

"Oh my God!"

Li Hongbing also spoke excitedly, his voice still a little hoarse:

"Thanks to my baby niece! Even the doctor praised her, saying that she recognized the herbs accurately and applied them at the right time!"

"If it weren't for you, my leg, and even my life... would be in grave danger!"

As he spoke, he was about to bow to Gu Baobao.

Gu Baobao quickly stepped aside and supported him:

"Uncle Hongbing, please don't! I just happen to know a little bit of folk remedy. I'm glad you're alright. Please sit down and rest."

Li Hongbing's wife shoved the small basket into Wu Guixiang's hands without saying a word.

Lift the blue cloth, and inside are five white-shelled eggs still warm from the hen's body!

"Auntie, baby, we don't have much at home, but you must accept these eggs! They'll help the baby grow stronger! We'll remember this life-saving kindness for the rest of our lives!"

Five eggs are an incredibly generous thank-you gift these days.

Unable to refuse, Wu Guixiang looked at Gu Baobao. Gu Baobao knew this was a fellow villager's most sincere and heartfelt gesture, and that refusing would only hurt her feelings, so she nodded.

"Thank you, Auntie."

After seeing off the Li Hongbing family, who were expressing their deepest gratitude, the atmosphere in the Gu family courtyard suddenly became lively.

The men in the Gu family felt proud and praised their daughters/nieces/sisters for their abilities.