In mid-July, a sudden and fierce summer rainstorm swept through the gray city, giving it a thorough wash.
While it alleviated the drought, too much rain over a long period is not good for crops such as wheat and sorghum.
However, due to the prolonged drought, much of the land has cracked.
Such a rain shower was a welcome relief, so even though there were no pedestrians on the streets, everyone still got the firsthand news: "Have you heard?"
"What's wrong?"
"The young mistress of the Ma family had a seizure today."
Before the man could finish speaking, another woman, who was cracking sunflower seeds, clicked her tongue and said, "What labor? She gave birth this morning. I heard it's a big, healthy boy. The Ma family steward even came with Doctor Jianqiu to get the medicine."
"That's right. I heard it was fortunate that it was Dr. Shu, otherwise the mother and child would have been in danger."
As the heavy rain poured down, everyone chatted about the city's gossip.
The brief coolness made everyone feel comfortable.
Meanwhile, at the Ma residence, Shulan stitched up Madam Ma's clothes and made her drink her medicine.
During this time, it rained heavily and thunder rumbled incessantly.
The Ma family members were there, trying to persuade Dr. Shu: "Dr. Shu, please rest here for a while and go back when the rain subsides a bit."
With Dr. Shu here, they felt a little more at ease.
Looking at the torrential rain, Shulan figured the clinic shouldn't be too busy, and if anything unexpected happened to Madam Ma, she would be there anyway, so she nodded in agreement.
Master Ma quickly ordered people to prepare a side room for Shulan and her two apprentices to rest, and also instructed the kitchen to serve them good wine and food.
"No need for wine." Shulan didn't dare to drink now. Looking at the sumptuous meal, and with Master Ma and Madam Ma keeping them company, the group ate comfortably.
After lunch, Shulan went to take the young mistress's pulse.
Finding her pulse stable, he instructed Young Master Ma: "The situation is stable for now, but make sure the young mistress rests well, takes her medicine on time, and doesn't touch her wound. If she develops a fever tonight, come to the General's Mansion to find me."
It was no secret that Doctor Shu lived in the General's Mansion.
Young Master Ma nodded quickly, expressing his gratitude as he saw her off, and also presented her with three hundred taels of silver.
After all, if it weren't for Dr. Shu, how could the mother and child have survived?
Shulan did not refuse, accepted the money, and seeing that the rain had lessened considerably, got into the Ma family's carriage and returned to the clinic.
The rain lasted for two days, washing the city's bluestone streets until they shone.
This is quite a rare occurrence in a border town where rain is scarce.
Aside from going to the Ma family for a follow-up appointment, Shulan has spent the last two days at the clinic, listening to everyone chatting and gossiping.
I know that this year's wheat crop was damaged by a disaster.
Shulan listened to them talking; each of them had their own difficulties.
However, crops depend on the weather, and they are either affected by drought or flood. It's just that in places like this border town, drought is the main problem, and this is the first time that the area has been flooded like this.
Whether it's drought or flood, the people are suffering.
These farmers, despite their years of hardship, have gotten used to it. At least it's better than the years when they had to fight and live in fear.
Life went on as usual. After the rain, the sun blazed down again. The sky was clear and blue, and the ground dried up quickly.
Shulan was picked up by He Fengmian early in the morning and taken to the military camp.
He's come back twice in the last few days, both times during heavy rain, because he's worried about his family.
This time, it was because one of the veterans in the camp had fallen ill.
This veteran general, named Zhao Yousheng, was just over fifty years old and was also one of He Yushan's old subordinates.
I had met Shulan before; he was a cheerful middle-aged man, and we had even eaten grilled fish together.
She inquired about He Fengmian on the way and learned that he couldn't get up today. Based on his description, she came to a conclusion and said, "General, be prepared. Uncle Zhao must be suffering from a stroke."
The term "removing armor wind" refers to the ancient practice of soldiers who, after fighting in armor, would return to their tents and, because they were too hot and sweating profusely, would immediately remove their armor to cool off in the breeze, which resulted in a stroke.
Ancient books record that diseases like "armor-removing wind" were almost exclusively diseases of ancient generals; to put it bluntly, it was a stroke.
It means wearing armor and sweating profusely, and before the sweat has dried, immediately taking off the armor to cool off or drink cold drinks.
Zhao Yousheng was already covered in sweat from the sweltering heat the day before yesterday, and he was still training in the rain.
He was already feeling unwell, but he didn't say anything.
Yesterday, I trained in the rain until I was covered in sweat, and I also drank chilled wine with someone. As a result, I couldn't get out of bed this morning.
After sweating profusely, the pores are not firmly closed, making one susceptible to wind and evil influences. This can constrict the meridians, causing muscle tension, obstructing the flow of qi and blood, and resulting in pain.
He Fengmian was silent for a moment, then said, "I think that should be the case."
Shulan reassured him, "Don't worry, let me check how serious the situation is first."
But they all knew that Zhao Yousheng's military career was over.
Upon arriving at the military camp, Shulan took Zhao Yousheng's pulse. Just as she had suspected, he had indeed suffered a stroke, and it was only by sheer luck that he was still alive.
There's no cure for this disease; all we can do is try to keep him conscious, but the long-term effects are obvious, as everyone knows.
Seeing the heavy looks on everyone's faces, she gave acupuncture and prescribed medicine to the person lying in bed who was still unconscious.
He said to He Fengmian and the other generals, "His life can be saved, but he cannot live like an ordinary person. He has difficulty moving his hands and feet and will need someone to take care of him year-round."
Most importantly, he doesn't have many years left to live.
A perfectly healthy person suddenly became like this; the others remained silent, their hearts heavy.
After all, no one expected that Lao Zhao, who was chatting and laughing with them yesterday, would end up like this. He didn't lose on the battlefield, but he fell victim to the armor-removing wind.
Rong Tengfei said, "Madam, just focus on saving him; we'll take care of the rest."
Shulan nodded; this was the only option now.
After Zhao Yousheng finished drinking the medicine, she went to find He Fengmian and saw a plump pigeon flying right in front of her.
Not shy at all, it tilted its head and looked at Shulan with innocent little eyes, as if to say: "Coo coo!"
When Shulan saw this very plump pigeon, her first thought was: "Roasted pigeon."
An image of a fragrant, sizzling, steaming pigeon flashed through my mind. I bet even He Xiaobao, far away in the capital, would be drooling over its aroma…
The pigeon had no idea that it was already a fragrant and plump squab in front of this person, and it even said to her: "Coo coo!"
When He Fengmian came out, he saw a little woman staring at her carrier pigeon, which was glowing green.
With a hint of helplessness, he asked, "What do you want to do to it?"
Shulan blurted out without thinking, "Frying, grilling, stewing... well, I like grilling the most."
He Fengmian: "..."
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