Who dares to hurt her?
After feeding Xie Zhuo the medicine, Fu Zhi Qiao arrived at the door of the room of the wounded soldier from yesterday. Doctor Gao and Doctor Hu were both there.
Yesterday, her argument with Dr. Hu caused quite a stir, and all the doctors and medical supervisors in the clinic came over, wanting to see if alcohol was really as magical as Fu Zhi Qiao said.
The bearded doctor touched the soldier's forehead and then took his pulse. The pulse was normal, but the blood loss yesterday had made the pulse a little weak.
Are you feeling unwell anywhere?
The soldier shook his head and replied, "No, the wound is just a little itchy."
The bearded doctor gently unwrapped the gauze, and the bleeding had completely stopped. The wound was not much different from yesterday.
"It's strange, really strange! Such a big scratch, without being cleaned with herbal water, there is no redness, swelling and pus."
"Yes, in the past, when I treated the wounded, there was always a fever and redness and swelling in the wounds. Boss Fu, how did you manage to do that?"
Wound medicine has the effect of relieving pain and stopping bleeding, but it cannot prevent wound infection. Why is this soldier completely unharmed?
"Does Boss Fu also know medicine?" the bearded doctor asked, voicing everyone's doubts.
"It's all thanks to the alcohol." Looking at the shocked expressions on everyone's faces, Fu Zhiqiao shook her head and chuckled. "If a wound that has been torn open is not treated in time, it will definitely become infected and fester, eventually leading to high fever and death."
"Alcohol is used to disinfect the skin. Wiping the wound clean with alcohol before bandaging it can prevent the wound from festering and increase the chances of survival."
alcohol disinfection?
They had only heard of disinfection by fumigating with mugwort and disinfection by boiling in vinegar; this was the first time they had ever heard of disinfection with alcohol.
The more Fu Zhiqiao talked, the brighter the Imperial Physician Gao's eyes became. He thought alcohol could only reduce body fever, but he didn't expect it could also prevent wound infection.
They had already witnessed the amazing effects of alcohol; it was a life-saving substance!
Especially for soldiers, it is impossible to have the means to prepare herbal decoctions to clean wounds on the battlefield. If alcohol disinfection is available, the number of soldiers who die from infection will be greatly reduced!
The imperial physician was overjoyed, and his attitude towards Fu Zhi Qiao changed from respect to deference.
Everyone else realized this, and the bearded doctor scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, and cupped his hands to Fu Zhiqiao, saying, "Please don't take offense, Mr. Fu. There are always people more capable than you, and there are always mountains beyond mountains. It was I who was arrogant."
With something to reduce fever, the plague was no longer so terrible. Soon, the news that alcohol could reduce fever and disinfect spread throughout the clinic.
The happiest people were, of course, the patients, who kept asking the doctor, "Are we saved? Are we saved?"
"Yes, you won't die as long as your high fever subsides."
The patient hurriedly knelt on the ground: "Thank you, doctor! I will never forget your life-saving grace."
"If you want some, thank Boss Fu. She's the one who developed the alcohol."
"Thank you, Mr. Fu!"
"Thank you, Mr. Fu!"
*
The alcohol extracted from the winery was delivered to the clinic one after another. The alcohol was very effective after being applied, and patients experienced varying degrees of fever reduction after using it, which led to a sharp decrease in the number of deaths.
The herbal decoction prescribed by Physician Gao also prevented the plague from spreading further.
Qin Zhao breathed a sigh of relief and wrote a memorial to the emperor, saying that the dikes in Qingzhou were almost finished and the plague had been contained, and that the emperor could rest assured, and so on.
However, not long after the memorial was submitted, Qin Zhao received news that the emperor had sent someone to Qingzhou.
Qu Zhengbin, the supervisor of the Eastern Depot, is on his way to Qingzhou.
Xie Zhuo instructed Qin Zhao to conceal his infection with the plague. Qin Zhao dared not deceive the emperor nor disobey Xie Zhuo's orders, so he kept the news under wraps. The court, having received no news of the plague, assumed something had gone wrong and sent people to investigate.
The Eastern Depot held a very special position in the imperial court. It was composed entirely of trusted eunuchs close to the emperor, and was responsible only to the emperor, thus holding a position superior to the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
Qu Zhengbin was fair-skinned and beardless, dressed in a brown shirt, wearing a round hat, and black boots, looking quite imposing. His right hand rested naturally on the hilt of his sword, and his thumb and forefinger had thick calluses, clearly indicating that he was a master swordsman.
Qu Zhengbin was a favorite of the emperor, so Qin Zhao dared not be negligent: "Your Excellency, I am very pleased."
"My lord, please come inside..."
With Qu Zhengbin's arrival, the news of Xie Zhuo's illness could no longer be kept secret.
Qu Zhengbin naturally took the seat of honor, toying with his teacup. "I say, Lord Qin, how dare you conceal such a serious matter as the young master's illness? Aren't you afraid that His Majesty and the Prince will hold you accountable?"
Qin Zhao bowed even lower: "This humble official dares not, but the young master had given me instructions beforehand and I dared not disobey. Fortunately, the symptoms of the plague are now under control, so the Grand Eunuch need not worry."
Qu Zhengbin was a little curious. Plagues had always been incurable diseases, so how could they suddenly be brought under control?
"This is all thanks to Boss Fu, she's the one who developed the alcohol..." Qin Zhao smiled and told him about Fu Zhi Qiao's invention of the alcohol.
"Who is Boss Fu? And what is alcohol?"
Qin Zhao took out the memorial he had written long ago. The little eunuch, crouching low, quickly walked up to Qin Zhao, took it, and then respectfully handed it to Qu Zhengbin.
This memorial was written by Qin Zhao specifically for Fu Zhiqiao, intending to present her achievements to the emperor. It described how Fu Zhiqiao used alcohol to help patients reduce fever and disinfect.
Qu Zhengbin was very interested in alcohol. "Is this thing called alcohol really so magical?"
"I saw it with my own eyes."
Qu Zhengbin became interested, his mind racing. The fever-reducing effect was secondary; what he really cared about was the disinfecting properties of alcohol. As a member of the Eastern Depot, he had suffered countless knife and sword wounds, and he wanted to see a treasure that could prevent infection and pus from these wounds.
He personally went to the clinic to see for himself. After confirming the effectiveness of the alcohol treatment, he narrowed his eyes and said with a serious expression, "Such a miraculous substance exists. I must petition His Majesty to produce it in large quantities."
Qin Zhao sensed something different in his words, so he smiled slightly and said, "This humble official will take care of it immediately!"
Qu Zhengbin glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, thinking, "You're smart to know what's good for you!"
Qin Zhao approached Fu Zhiqiao and suggested that she submit the alcohol formula to the imperial court.
"Does Lord Qin want me to hand over the secret formula for alcohol to the imperial court?"
"Alcohol is a good thing that benefits the country and the people. Wouldn't it be better to hand it over to the court to help more people? Don't worry, Mr. Fu, I will ask His Majesty to reward you."
Fu Zhiqiao shook her head. Alcohol has been around for so long, and Qin Zhao suddenly came to her and asked her to hand over the alcohol to the imperial court. There must be something fishy about this.
"Lord Qin, just say what you have to say, there's no need to beat around the bush."
Qin Zhao sighed slightly and told her about the Eastern Depot. "Qu Zhengbin is determined to get the alcohol formula. Boss Fu, why don't you hand over the formula? I guarantee I will secure more benefits for you."
"The secret formula for alcohol is impossible."
The method of refining baijiu (Chinese liquor) is the foundation of her livelihood in this world, and she will not give the secret formula for alcohol to anyone.
Qin Zhao kindly advised, "Why fight a losing battle? Why not hand over the secret recipe to the imperial court and exchange it for a lifetime of wealth and honor?"
"Does Lord Qin think I'm short of money?"
Hearing this, Qin Zhao's smile gradually faded. "Boss Fu, I'm doing this for your own good. The imperial court is now aware of the existence of alcohol. If Qu Zhengbin takes forceful measures, I can't stop him!"
The people of the Eastern Depot were ruthless and merciless, and in his eyes, Fu Zhiqiao and Qu Zhengbin were simply courting death.
"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Qin, but I will not give the secret formula for alcohol to anyone. If Qu Zhengbin comes to take it..." Fu Zhiqiao paused, "then let him take it!"
Qin Zhao earnestly advised, "Boss Fu, don't underestimate the people from the Eastern Depot."
"At worst, we'll fight to the death!"
Qin Zhaoshen was shocked, his face filled with disbelief.
"Mr. Fu, you are really good at keeping your composure."
Rather than saying she was calm, it's more accurate to say she had confidence.
Fu Zhi Qiao is no longer an unknown figure. After a series of events such as donating grain and porridge and developing alcohol, she now enjoys a high reputation in Qingzhou. It will not be easy for Qu Zheng Bin to deal with her.
Moreover, Cheng Yexuan protected her every time she went in and out, and the clinic was full of cavalrymen. No matter how powerful Qu Zhengbin was, he wouldn't dare to do anything to her directly.
As expected, capable people have plenty of confidence. Qin Zhao didn't know what to say anymore. He could only advise Fu Zhiqiao to be careful in everything.
After learning of Qu Zhengbin's intentions, Fu Zhiqiao did not leave the house for the next few days.
Before Qin Zhao could even come up with a reason for Fu Zhi Qiao's rejection, Qu Zheng Bin came over. Upon learning that Qin Zhao hadn't resolved the matter, Qu Zheng Bin cursed him as useless and decided to take matters into his own hands.
Seeing a group of people storming in, Fu Zhiqiao gave Yinxing a wink, and Yinxing quietly slipped out the back door to go to the clinic to ask Wang Qianxin for help.
Qu Zhengbin found Fu Zhiqiao and got straight to the point.
"Alcohol should be brought under the control of the imperial court to benefit the royal family and the people."
Fu Zhiqiao smiled but remained silent.
"Your Majesty is merciful. If you present the alcohol to the court, the court will certainly not mistreat you. At that time, you can choose any amount of gold, silver, treasures, power, and status you desire."
"My lord, I am truly sorry, but the alcohol is a secret recipe of my Fu family that is not passed down to outsiders."
Would Qu Zhengbin really give her such a big credit? Fu Zhiqiao didn't believe he would be so kind.
On the other side, Ginkgo encountered Zhao Junhui when she left the city.
Where is the Ginkgo Maiden rushing off to?
"Lord Zhao, a group of eunuchs carrying knives have come to our house. My daughter asked me to go find Guard Wang."
A father-in-law carrying a knife?
"Does he have a knife, Father-in-law?" Zhao Jun immediately guessed that it was someone from the Eastern Depot. Although he had never been in contact with anyone from the Eastern Depot, he had heard about their ways of doing things. He gave his fast horse to Yinxing and turned to find Qin Zhao.
When Qin Zhao and Zhao Jun arrived at the Fu residence, Fu Zhiqiao and Qu Zhengbin were already at loggerheads.
The Eastern Depot had a large and powerful force.
But Cheng Yexuan was no pushover either. His muscles tensed, and he quietly placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, his face full of vigilance.
Qu Zhengbin's face was gloomy. "Lord Qin has come at the right time. Quickly persuade Boss Fu that having the opportunity to present alcohol to the imperial court would be a glorious event for the family."
Qin Zhao looked embarrassed, as he couldn't afford to offend either side.
As someone with experience, he knew what kind of eyes a man would have when he looked at a woman he liked. Every time the young master looked at Boss Fu, his eyes were so gentle that they seemed to drip with honey.
Seeing that Qin Zhao was not on his side, Qu Zhengbin sneered, "Boss Fu, I advise you not to refuse a toast only to suffer a forfeit."
Fu Zhiqiao's tone also turned cold, "Lord Supervisor, you keep saying you're thinking of the court. If the court wants alcohol, they can buy it from me. I guarantee a better price!"
Qu Zhengbin's eyebrows shot up one by one, and he pressed aggressively: "I'm taking this alcohol today, whether you like it or not."
"Does the imperial court want alcohol, or do you, Chief Eunuch, want it?"
Wow! This Boss Fu is incredibly audacious!
This was everyone's impression of Fu Zhiqiao. Other merchants were eager to seize an opportunity to offer tribute, but how come she wanted the imperial court to pay for it?
As expected, Qu Zhengbin got angry, and veins bulged on his face.
"How dare you! I am here, how can you speak so disrespectfully? The woman of the Fu family has committed insubordination and uttered falsehoods. She shall be punished with fifty strokes of the cane!"
"Zhi Qiao..." Zhao Junhui was extremely anxious. Fu Zhi Qiao's body was weak and could not withstand any more exertion. He wanted to rush forward to stop her, but he was held back tightly by the servant next to Qin Zhao.
Zhao Jun, a scholar, was no match for the strength of two laborers. Helpless, he turned to Qin Zhao for help, pleading, "Lord Qin, please help her!"
Qin Zhao shook his head. Qu Zhengbin was a member of the Eastern Depot, so he didn't dare to say anything more.
"Hit me? You're welcome to try!" Fu Zhi Qiao stared directly at Qu Zheng Bin, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes.
For a moment, everyone around her was overwhelmed by her imposing presence, and no one dared to step forward.
Qu Zhengbin was furious, his teeth grinding together as he roared, "What are you waiting for? Get her down here right now!"
Upon hearing this, his men immediately moved closer to Fu Zhiqiao, intending to take her away.
"Stop!" a shout came from the doorway.
"I want to see who dares to hurt her!"
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