A doctor, a dedicated doctor who is generally perceived as someone who will never betray, could easily connive at the unforeseen demise of a person that trusts in his medical skills.
Zhang Yun seemed unsurprised by Doctor Zhang’s choice. He perceived Doctor Zhang to hold high esteem for his family. If not so, he would not have followed Zhang Ping to serve dutifully and brought his entire family to Jibei, seeking shelter and livelihood in the residence of the Pingxi General.
Zhang Yun waved dismissively at Doctor Zhang, "Go. Be quick."
Doctor Zhang repressed the alarm that had surfaced on his face, steadied himself, and descended from Zhang Yun’s carriage.
Back in his carriage, Doctor Zhang’s hands shook as he took out a small box. On opening the box, he observed the several types of poison laid within.
Since ancient times, healers have been adept with poisons, with medical skills indistinguishable from their knowledge of toxins.
Doctor Zhang’s medical skills were profoundly accomplished, thus, his knowledge of poisons exceeded that of an ordinary practitioner. Over the years, Zhang Ping had utilized this knowledge for numerous clandestine activities. Doctor Zhang had gathered these specific poisons for any unforeseen needs that Zhang Ping might have.
Unexpectedly now, he had to use them.
He thought that Zhang Ping would never figure out his son’s plans - wishes to lay hands on him, and that the man he trust plans to betray him to join the third son, all for the sake of his family.
This was his choice.
Then, someone outside the carriage yelled, "Doctor Zhang, the general is feeling unwell, please come over."
Startled, Doctor Zhang bolted the case shut, lifted the carriage curtain, and calmly asked, "How come the General suddenly fell ill? Is it severe?"
The messenger shook his head, "The general lost his temper today. I’m not sure about the severity, I was only sent to notify you, Doctor Zhang."
Doctor Zhang nodded, "Alright, I understand."
Lowering the curtain, he reopened the box, took out a porcelain vial, stashed it in his sleeve, then slowly disembarked from the carriage, heading towards Zhang Ping’s military tent.
Le Shu had been attentively monitoring Doctor Zhang. Hearing that Zhang Ping was unwell and Doctor Zhang was called on, he said softly to Zhang Yun, "Young master, the general is unwell; Doctor Zhang was summoned."
Zhang Yun remained expressionless, "My father has a quick temper, easily enraged, and with an overflowing liver fire. Any minor displeasure manifests as chest pain. This old ailment can only be treated by Doctor Zhang. Today, his anger, with nowhere to vent, is of course intolerable."
Usually, Doctor Zhang would give him a Heart Protecting Pill. Today, that pill might carry something more with it.
Le Shu spoke softly, "Fortunately, Young Master, you put on a show of fainting today, otherwise the general would have vented his full fury on you. After you fainted, Vice General Zhu, who was interrogated, was almost strangled to death by him."
Zhang Yun scoffed coldly, "How could I provide him with the opportunity to vent his anger at me now?"
Once upon a time, he was Zhang Ping’s son, relying on Zhang Ping for his existence. However, things are different now. He has pledged allegiance to Su Rong and has a new master. Since he has renounced Zhang Ping as his father, he will no longer tolerate his wrath.
He said, "Zhu Ping suffered on my behalf. Tell him that I will protect his family, the Zhu family. If he wishes to follow me to Nanchu, I will take him with me. If not, I will recommend him to the Eastern Palace before I leave."
Now that he has pledged allegiance to Su Rong and once his father dies, he will take control of the Jibei Army and hand it over to the Eastern Palace. Recommending someone to the Crown Prince should make him quite receptive. As for Zhu Ping, originally, he hadn’t thought of taking anyone from the army with him, but if Zhu Ping is willing, he doesn’t mind. Surely Miss Seventh would be more than happy to welcome fresh talents.
Le Shu nodded, "I’ll go right away."
Zhang Yun had guessed correctly. He knew that once Zhang Ping gets severely angry, he would be likely to suffer a heart attack. Hence, he had preemptively won over Doctor Zhang and planned to slay his father through him. That’s why, when Doctor Zhang arrived at Zhang Ping’s military tent, he found Zhang Ping clutching at his chest, "Come here, check me right away, I’m feeling uncomfortable again."
Doctor Zhang approached Zhang Ping and took his pulse, then furrowed his brows and remarked, "General, you’ve got fired up again. I’ve told you time and again, you must never get angry. High liver fire injures the heart blood and harms your health."
Zhang Ping snarled, "How could I not get angry with the way things are? A bunch of incompetents ruined my plans."
Doctor Zhang sighed.
Zhang Ping asked, "I just took a Heart Protecting Pill, but it doesn’t seem to be helping today."
"Your symptoms have worsened. Let me change the medicine for you." Doctor Zhang took out a porcelain vial, "Before we left Jibei, I told you about this. It’s an emergency medicine I specially concocted. It helps to stabilize your heart pulse and should be taken when you are unable to withstand it. It will have a stabilizing effect. However, the medicine hasn’t been tested yet. About its efficacy, I can’t be certain."
Zhang Ping reached out and took it, "I trust your medical skills."
He opened the porcelain vial, took a peek, "Only three pills?"
"Yes," Doctor Zhang replied, "Only three pills, a day’s dose. Take one every two hours. With it, the general should be able to avoid an attack for a year."
Zhang Ping was enticed, "If it really helps me avoid an attack for a year, that would be wonderful."
His heart disorder, without any anger, would occur once a month. If he gets angry, it’s unpredictable, especially severe anger. Suppressing it doesn’t work, it will definitely occur. In the past, he would take Heart Protecting Pills, they were also medicine pills formulated by Doctor Zhang. He had been taking them for several years, but today, the pills were ineffective. Even after an hour passed, he still felt intermittent chest pain.
He asked, "Can I take it now?"
Doctor Zhang glanced at the hour, "The General can take one now, wait two hours, then take the next one, and the last one at midnight. Just take them at the appropriate time."
Zhang Ping nodded, poured out a pill, and swallowed it.
Doctor Zhang poured him a cup of water and handed it to him.
Zhang Ping waved it away, "I’m used to your pills. What do I need water for? I can swallow them without any water."
He asked Doctor Zhang, "I heard that my third son woke up? Did you check on him again?"
Doctor Zhang nodded, "The third son had just woke up. He was talking to me while coughing. He was just recovering from poisoning and the cold weather, long journey, and physical exhaustion have given him a cold. It doesn’t look too good. While on the road, I couldn’t prepare a decoction, so I could only give him some cold medicine pills I had prepared."
Zhang Ping asked, "Did he cry when you saw him?"
Doctor Zhang shook his head, "No, he didn’t cry." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦
Zhang Ping scoffed coldly, "As expected, it was just a act in front of me, fearing my angry outburst. How could such a crafty person weep for his two uncles and his brother? He must be wishing for their deaths. When I seize the position, should there be no able successors among my descendants, wouldn’t it all be his if he is the only competent one?"
Doctor Zhang dared not respond to that.
Zhang Ping laughed coldly, "He must be dreaming. My position won’t fall into his lap, not now, not in the future."
Doctor Zhang suddenly stopped breathing.
He thought to himself, no wonder the third son wanted him to slay his father. Even with the third son’s elaborate act to the point he himself was deceived, the general was still far from satisfied and made such remarks.
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