In the pharmacy of the Imperial Hospital, Hong Zhengxuan's eyes unconsciously followed the figure of Xu He, the director of the hospital. He saw that he was as usual, concentrating on reading the pulse records on the desk. His calmness and indifference coincided with the respect he had for the outside world.
However, Hong Zhengxuan's brows furrowed slightly involuntarily, and his heart seemed to be shrouded in a fog, full of confusion and puzzlement.
He found it difficult to connect the highly respected and skilled doctor Xu in front of him with the figure of the suspected arsonist who hurried past in the flames that night.
While his thoughts were racing, Hong Zhengxuan did not stop working. He carefully pounded the last medicinal ingredient and was about to clean up the remaining residue when he suddenly heard the voice of Xu He, the servant in the inner courtyard.
"I will go to General Weiwu's residence in the afternoon. General Ding has an old carbuncle on his shoulder. It tends to relapse when the weather is hot. It is painful and itchy. I should go and check it out." There was a hint of concern in his words.
Xu He then turned to look at the medicine pounding room and saw Hong Zhengxuan busy at work. He gently instructed him, "Doctor Hong, prepare some heat-clearing and blood-stasis-removing plasters. I'll need them later."
Upon hearing this, Hong Zhengxuan quickly nodded in agreement. Although he still had some doubts in his heart, he did not dare to delay in his actions and immediately began to prepare.
The dusty pulse records in the warehouse were all old files, so Hong Zhengxuan secretly paid attention to the current developments of the Imperial Hospital, especially the arrangements for home consultations.
Unexpectedly, he heard the name of General Ding Dayong. This sudden information made him feel a little shocked. He did not expect that the hospital envoy Xu He's visit to consult a doctor would involve this famous military general.
The mighty General Ding Dayong is the younger brother of the current Concubine Shoukang, and his family has a long history of glory.
Looking back at the time of the previous emperor, the father and son of the Ding family - the previous generation of mighty general Ding Weishan and his son Ding Dayong, were like two indestructible walls of steel, fighting side by side and making the northern enemy army terrified.
To the west, the Xingyuan Marquisate guards the border, and to the north, the Ding family father and son intimidate the enemy. Together, they build an iron-blooded defense line to ensure long-term peace and stability at the border.
However, things are unpredictable. The old general Ding Weishan unfortunately passed away due to illness before the death of the previous emperor. His son Ding Dayong inherited his father's will and continued to fight on the battlefield as a mighty general to defend his country.
However, after years of fighting, an accidental knife wound quietly developed into a carbuncle on the shoulder. For many years thereafter, this disease repeatedly plagued General Ding, causing him great torture and unbearable pain.
As Ding Dayong's condition worsened, the command of the Northern Border Military Camp gradually fell into the hands of others. The former glory and honor of the mighty General's Mansion now only had an empty name and its splendor was gone.
However, the Concubine Shoukang in the palace had no children, so she was helpless to help her brother Ding Dayong's plight. She could only watch silently and could not offer any help.
Hong Zhengxuan has been studying the stubborn and difficult osteomyelitis and striving to find a cure.
In the "Qing Nang Shu" written by Hua Tuo, there is a record of an extremely bold treatment method - scraping bones to heal wounds.
However, although this technique has existed since ancient times, with the current level of medical technology, it is very risky to implement and may endanger the patient's life if not handled with care.
Hong Zhengxuan naturally did not dare to compare himself with the legendary doctor Hua Tuo, and he couldn't help but feel troubled. Although General Ding Dayong was known for his bravery, it was unknown whether he could endure such painful treatment like Guan Yu in the Three Kingdoms period.
Thinking of this, Hong Zhengxuan couldn't help but shake his head slightly. It was hard to say whether Xu He's visit to the Ding Mansion was just a routine consultation or there was something mysterious going on.
He decided to temporarily put aside all the doubts in his mind, wait for the opportunity, and make sure to find a way to check General Ding Dayong's pulse record.
The next day, Hong Zhengxuan chose a day to visit Lord Qiao Sanhe's house and sent someone to deliver a visiting card.
The Qiao family quickly replied, welcoming Doctor Hong and saying they would make all the arrangements.
On the appointed day, Hong Zhengxuan came to visit, bringing with him several carefully selected medical books and some of his own notes.
Inside the Qiao residence, Qiao Sanhe, the Chief Justice of the Ministry of Justice, was already waiting in his study. Although he was old, he was in good spirits, with a glint of wisdom in his eyes.
Seeing Hong Zhengxuan coming, he stood up with a smile and greeted him warmly: "Zhengxuan, you are finally here. I have been looking forward to seeing you for a long time."
Hong Zhengxuan quickly saluted and said respectfully, "Master Qiao, I hope you can forgive me for not visiting you in a while."
"Well, forgive me, but in my study, we don't have to worry about the official formalities. This cake is delicious. Try it."
Qiao Sanhe waved his hand, signaling Hong Zhengxuan not to be polite, and the two sat down together.
The study is decorated in a simple and elegant style. The bookshelves are filled with various books, and the air is filled with a faint scent of ink.
"The study is quiet today, but why is Miss Qiao not here?" Hong Zhengxuan looked around, picked up a piece of cake, and blurted out.
"This girl heard that a porridge stall was opened in the south of the city, so she went to help out these two days." Qiao Sanhe stroked his gray beard with a smile on his face.
After sitting down, the two began to discuss medicine, from "Huangdi Neijing" to "Treatise on Febrile Diseases", from the medicinal properties of herbs to acupuncture therapy, and they had a great time chatting.
As they chatted, the topic inadvertently turned to the Imperial Hospital.
"Master Qiao, I happened to see the pulse record of your cough in the Imperial Hospital. However, I have never seen you coughing on a normal day. Is the prescription effective and has it cured your illness?"
Hong Zhengxuan carefully observed Qiao Sanhe's complexion and said slowly, at first glance, the other party did not look sick at all.
"Oh, you're talking about that? Haha..." Qiao Sanhe chuckled and waved his hand. Even though there was no one else around in the study, he still lowered his voice, "That medicine...don't take it! Only then will your body get better!"
As soon as he said this, Hong Zhengxuan forgot to put the half piece of cake in his mouth and looked at the other person in surprise.
Qiao Sanhe was indeed an experienced and wise man. He changed the subject and asked Hong Zhengxuan a question.
"Boy, it seems that you have figured out some tricks, right?" Qiao Sanhe raised his eyebrows, with a hint of tentativeness in his tone.
Hong Zhengxuan's heart moved, knowing that this was Qiao Sanhe testing him, so he stopped hiding it and said in a low voice, "Master Qiao, the pulse record is very detailed. If I hadn't seen with my own eyes that you are in good health, I would almost believe that the pulse record is true. But since you are fine, there must be something fishy going on."
A hint of admiration flashed in Qiao Sanhe's eyes, and he nodded gently: "You are indeed thoughtful. The current atmosphere in the Imperial Hospital is really worrying. Although that old fellow Xu He has superb medical skills, his mind is becoming more and more unpredictable."
Hong Zhengxuan put down the pastry in his hand and sat up straight. He didn't expect Qiao Sanhe to directly mention Xu He's name.
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