Chapter 97: Extraneous Branches
The news that Madam Pei was going to make medicine quickly spread throughout Xiaogang Village.
But what she wanted seemed strange to everyone. Rotten watermelon was the best, but rotten vegetables, meat, and fruit would also be fine. Steamed buns with green hair on them would be even better.
The villagers of Xiaogang Village were completely bewildered. Life had just begun to improve, and everyone cherished food; no one would let it rot. After searching their homes for a long time, they managed to gather a basket and brought it to Shen Yuexi.
"Grind these into juice, then scrape off the green hairs and soak them in it for seven days..." Shen Yuexi instructed Doctor Yuan.
In the corner of the laboratory, there was a pile of moldy food sent by the people, and in the middle of the room was a row of jars and pots, medicine hammers, medicine grinders and everything else.
She used a traditional method to extract penicillin, which was of very low purity. However, Dr. Yuan mastered it and could use it to treat the wounded.
"Madam, does this medicine have a name?" Dr. Yuan asked while stirring the medicine.
"It's called green plum powder." Shen Yuexi made up something off the cuff. "Some people can't handle this. When treating someone, you must first give them a small handful to see how they react."
"What will happen if I eat it directly?"
Shen Yuexi moved a jar of mixed liquid aside and wiped the sweat off her face with her sleeve.
"I couldn't breathe, I had rashes, I had stomachaches...it was just not normal. If I took an overdose, it could be fatal."
In the past, every drug had to undergo several phases of clinical trials before it could be officially used. However, in ancient times, when medical care and medicine were scarce, these conditions were not available. This meant that new drugs could only be used as they were developed, yet they have already saved many lives.
Doctor Yuan nodded cautiously after hearing this. "Every medicine has its side effects. It seems that while this green plum powder is a good medicine, it is also extremely toxic. You can start by giving the patient a reduced dosage and then gradually increase it until you determine the appropriate dosage."
Military doctors prioritize speed. Faced with a large number of wounded, they must quickly determine which can be saved and which to abandon. Many soldiers' wounds are so extensive that they are often abandoned, primarily due to the inability to control the subsequent severe infection.
Now, with the medicine provided by the lord's wife, the injuries of all the wounded, without exception, did not worsen, and their lives were all saved. This was something he had never experienced before in the years he had accompanied Xiao Zhuo in fighting the Northern Di in the northeastern border.
With the results of practical application, he has full confidence in this drug. The only thing that needs to be controlled is the dosage.
Shen Yuexi smiled slightly. It seemed that Doctor Yuan was not a reckless person.
By the time they finished preparing the liquid medicine, it was already afternoon. Doctor Yuan left first, and when Shen Yuexi finished cleaning up and stepped out of the laboratory door, she saw a moon-white figure still standing outside. Her eyes lit up; she hadn't expected Xiao Zhuo to be waiting for her again.
She was a little surprised, but when she saw Xiao Zhuo waiting for her outside, the corners of her mouth still raised happily.
"How did my husband know I would come out at this time?"
She locked the laboratory door and walked over quickly.
Xiao Zhuo said, "I have something good to say, so I came to call you, but since you were busy, I didn't say anything."
Shen Yuexi knew that Xiao Zhuo had probably been waiting for a while, so she took the initiative to hold Xiao Zhuo's hand and headed to the center of the camp.
Unlike the usual solemnity, the entire camp was filled with laughter and joy. Soldiers gathered in circles around the campfire, toasting each other. They sliced the barbecued meat on the rack, and the aroma of wine and meat filled the air. Shen Yuexi looked at Xiao Zhuo and said, "Why is it so lively today?"
"It's a reward for the army after the great victory," Xiao Zhuo said with a smile, "but I don't have any silver on hand, so the villagers sent it to me voluntarily."
"Soldiers can drink alcohol?" Shen Yuexi was a little bit unbelieving.
After drinking, they all staggered and couldn't even walk steadily, so how could they fight?
"The soldiers are exhausted from the battle. Letting them eat and drink to their heart's content is a way to boost morale," Xiao Zhuo said, glancing around the camp. "The scouts out on reconnaissance and the soldiers guarding the camp won't drink, don't worry."
Xiao Zhuo and his five hundred soldiers repelled the Western Rong cavalry and defended Xiaogang Village. Everyone was thrilled. For years, Xiaogang Village had been repeatedly trampled upon by the Western Rong. Now, the villagers had a real sense of confidence in their lives.
As the news spread, many people from surrounding villages and towns who had suffered greatly from the invasions of the Western Rong rushed to seek refuge. Even some beggars from Dongji Town came here after hearing the news, keeping the village head busy and confused.
Although Xiaogang Village was part of Dayan territory, it had been effectively abandoned since the imperial court established the border crossing. The village head was the sole official in Xiaogang Village. He was responsible for registering the villagers who arrived and allocating unoccupied houses to them. He also mobilized the villagers to prepare wine and meat for the camp to comfort the soldiers.
Shen Yuexi listened with fascination and said to Xiao Zhuo:
"In this way, Xiaogang Village may become even more prosperous than Dongji Town in the future."
Since so many people had arrived, it was time to start building the pass. This was a massive undertaking; once completed, it would completely eliminate the threat of the Western Rong invasion. However, she had no relevant experience, so she had to proceed slowly.
When the two men arrived at the door of the central army commander's tent, Meng Yue had already walked out with a bowl of wine in his hand. His face was flushed, and it was obvious that he had drunk a lot.
"My Lord, come, everyone is waiting for you and your wife."
Xiao Zhuo smiled and said, "Don't worry, everyone. We won't leave until we're drunk."
After saying that, he was about to pull Shen Yuexi into the tent.
Shen Yuexi was startled and quickly pulled her hand away, declining, "The meritorious soldiers are drinking, and I didn't fight... I'd better go get busy."
Before Xiao Zhuo could say anything, Qiu Liming had already crawled out of the tent.
He drank even more, staggering as he walked. Holding up his bowl, he spoke with a thick tongue, "Madam, how can you say there wasn't a war... If it weren't for you, I would have died on the battlefield. You are not allowed to leave. I must toast you with three big bowls!"
Shen Yuexi took a look at the size of the bowl. She wouldn't need three bowls, she would definitely collapse after just one.
These generals were all veterans, drinking was commonplace. She was different. Besides, it was unbecoming for a young woman to drink with men. Forget it.
She looked at Xiao Zhuo for help and pinched the back of his hand.
Xiao Zhuo understood and said to Qiu Liming, "General Qiu, I'll drink these three bowls."
"Ah, my lord has to drink for my lady," Song Zhen also walked out of the tent with a smile. Unlike the two generals, he was obviously not drunk. "My lord, please be careful. If this is the case, you should drink double the wine."
Shen Yuexi looked at Xiao Zhuo with some worry. He wondered if he would get alcohol poisoning and pass out.
Song Zhen said from the side: "Madam, don't worry. We have been fighting with the lord for many years, and no one has ever been able to get him drunk."
Only then did Shen Yuexi feel relieved.
In her heart, she wasn't willing to let Xiao Zhuo drink so much. According to her previous life's health philosophy, not drinking alcohol was the right thing to do. But right now, everyone was celebrating their victory, and if Xiao Zhuo, as the commander, didn't drink at all, it would definitely ruin everyone's mood.
Even in ancient times, these social customs have not changed at all.
She let go of Xiao Zhuo's hand and said, "My husband, go ahead. I'll go to the tent at the back and rest for a while."
After watching the generals escort Xiao Zhuo into the tent, she turned and headed for the rear tent. After only a few steps, she saw a fast horse galloping in from a distance and stopping at the camp gate. A thin soldier jumped off the horse and handed the reins to the soldier next to him.
As soon as the guard opened the camp gate, the sergeant rushed into the camp, shouting:
"Urgent news, urgent news!"
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