After exchanging pleasantries, Lü Qiang craned his neck and looked around before turning to Zhang Bozu.
"Did your great-uncle physician have a distinguished disciple named Zhang Zhongjing?"
"Indeed, this young man is quick-witted, steady, and has an exceptional talent for medicine. Given time, his medical skills will surely surpass mine."
Although he didn't know how Lü Qiang knew about his prized disciple, Zhang Bozu didn't ask any questions. Instead, he started promoting his disciple.
Lu Qiang was overjoyed, not expecting the trip to go so smoothly. He then said, "Where is your disciple? I also have an imperial edict from His Majesty for your disciple."
"He went out to collect herbs the day before yesterday and said he would return today!"
"Alright then! I'll wait a moment!"
Afterwards, Zhang Bozu arranged for his disciples to continue treating the patients, while he himself led Lü Qiang and others to the study to wait for Zhang Zhongjing.
This wait lasted for almost half a day. Although Lü Qiang showed no sign of impatience, Zhang Bozu, who was standing to the side, was somewhat uneasy.
Besides worrying about offending Lü Qiang, the biggest concern was whether something had happened to his disciple, Zhang Zhongjing, who was usually steady and punctual. He had said he would return at noon when he left, but now it was almost sunset and he still hadn't returned.
Gathering herbs is no easy task; you might encounter poisonous insects or ferocious beasts at any time, and an accident could happen if you're not careful.
After waiting for half a day, Lü Qiang couldn't help but worry. He also thought of that possibility. Before the trip, the emperor had specifically emphasized the importance of Zhang Zhongjing. If something unexpected happened, he was afraid he wouldn't be able to explain it to the emperor when he returned.
Just as Lü Qiang opened his mouth to send someone to search, a young man carrying a medicine basket suddenly ran into the courtyard. It was Zhang Zhongjing, who had returned from collecting herbs.
Holding a medicinal herb in his hand, Zhang Zhongjing ran excitedly into the courtyard and headed straight for his study.
"Master! Look what I've found!"
Zhang Zhongjing, who had just run into the back hall, stopped in his tracks, stunned, when he noticed the two Imperial Guards standing at the door.
Upon hearing Zhang Zhongjing's voice outside, Lü Qiang and Zhang Bozu, who were inside the room, quickly got up and left the study.
Why did Zhongjing return home half a day late? And why was he so flustered?
Zhang Bozu looked at Zhang Zhongjing with some displeasure. He had just praised his disciple for his composure in front of everyone, but now he had been slapped in the face as soon as he appeared.
Realizing that he had indeed been somewhat rude, Zhang Zhongjing said in a low voice, "I have been disrespectful, and I hope my master will not be offended!"
“Master, I discovered a new herb today that may be of great help in treating typhoid fever! So I collected more than I should have, which is why I was delayed.”
However, thinking about what he had discovered on this trip, Zhang Zhongjing took out the medicinal herbs in his hand, still unable to suppress the excitement and joy in his words.
"oh?"
Zhang Bozu took the plant from Zhang Zhongjing's hand and examined it closely. The main root was about the thickness of a thumb, something he had never seen before. He tore open a leaf and gently smelled it, finding that it did indeed have a refreshing and invigorating effect.
How did you discover it?
"Reporting to my master, I found a wild rabbit in the mountains. It was moving slowly and its limbs were weak, as if it were sick, so I prepared to go and check on it."
But then he saw it crawl to the plant and begin to nibble on it. Curious, the disciple began to observe it closely. However, after only half an hour, the rabbit began to vomit, and afterwards, it miraculously regained its balance. Although it wasn't fully recovered, its condition had improved considerably. So the disciple dug up many of these plants and brought them back, intending to study them carefully.”
Zhang Zhongjing truthfully recounted his experiences in the mountains to Zhang Bozu, while Lü Qiang quietly observed him from the side.
After the master and disciple finished speaking, Lü Qiang asked, "Are you Zhang Zhongjing?"
"That is indeed me!"
"Hmm! Not bad! Not bad!"
Lü Qiang nodded. This young man was indeed extraordinary. He was meticulous and good at observation and analysis. No wonder the emperor valued him so much.
"Oh, Zhongjing, let me introduce you. This is Attendant Lü, sent by the Emperor to deliver the imperial edict."
Zhang Bozu explained Lü Qiang's background to Zhang Zhongjing, and Zhang Zhongjing quickly stepped forward to pay his respects.
"I have met Attendant Lü."
"No need for formalities. His Majesty has heard of your talent and has specially ordered me to read the imperial edict."
Lü Qiang waved his hand with a smile, then took out the imperial edict and began to read it aloud.
"Zhang Ji of Nanyang is quick-witted and intelligent, and has a remarkable talent for medicine. I am very pleased with him and hereby appoint him as my attendant. I hope that you will study diligently, achieve great things, and benefit the people of the Han Dynasty."
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your divine grace!"
Although Zhang Zhongjing, kneeling on the ground, did not know how the emperor had learned of him, he could not suppress his excitement.
From a young age, he witnessed many people suffering from illness. He read stories of Bian Que curing and saving lives in books, and thus regarded Bian Que as his role model. At the age of ten, he became a student of Zhang Bozu to learn medicine. For seven years, he studied diligently and not only inherited his mentor's medical skills but also his mentor's wishes.
Although he disliked being an official, he understood that without official support, it would be very difficult to improve the status of physicians. Now that he had been summoned to serve as a disciple, although he had no power, he was still a close minister of the emperor.
Zhang Zhongjing believed that with his years of learning and the emperor's support, he would be able to carry forward the art of medicine.
Thus, Zhang Zhongjing and his disciples followed Lü Qiang back to Luoyang.
A few days later, upon learning that Lü Qiang and his companion had been brought back to Luoyang, Liu Hong couldn't wait to summon the master and apprentice.
"Dr. Zhang, you truly deserve to be called a master of medicine; your health is so excellent!"
In the Deyang Palace, Liu Hong looked at Zhang Bozu, who was over sixty years old but still full of energy and had a ruddy complexion, and sincerely praised him.
"Your Majesty flatters me. I was just a man nearing the end of my life, but I have been suddenly blessed with the Emperor's grace, like a withered tree blossoming in spring!"
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