Chapter 14 The Mission to Ye (Part 3) Translation
After calming down, Yuan Shao finally leaned back against the couch, took a few deep breaths, and tried to compose himself.
The dizziness and chest tightness that receded like the tide left him with lingering fear, but his pride as a powerful ruler prevented him from appearing too vulnerable in front of others.
He cleared his throat, trying to regain his authoritative tone. His gaze swept over Guo Jia and Deng Jie, and he coughed a few times, trying to appear calm. "I...I was a little flustered just now, and my blood rushed to my head. I hope you all will forgive me for making a fool of yourself."
Fortunately, Madam Deng's skillful hands brought him back to health. A disciple of Hua Tuo, she truly lived up to her reputation!
"You flatter me, Master Yuan. This is a doctor's duty. However... I have something to say that I must report."
She paused briefly, observing Yuan Shao's reaction. Seeing him nod slightly in acknowledgment, she continued, "Forgive my bluntness, but Yuan Gong's condition just now, with such sudden anger, dizziness, and disordered breathing, is probably not the first time he has experienced this."
"But they were able to remain patient before, never revealing such danger as this time?"
Yuan Shao's eyebrows twitched involuntarily. He had always been proud of his good health and, due to his status, was unwilling to show weakness. He never explained the situation to the physician, only assuming it was due to overwork and that taking more tonics would suffice.
But Deng Jie actually asked such a sharp question in public. He was weighing whether it was appropriate to speak his mind in this situation, but he could not argue in front of such a doctor.
Seeing that Yuan Shao remained silent, Deng Jie's expression became even more solemn: "Lord Yuan, the root cause of this illness is long-term stagnation of qi and blood."
Ordinary fatigue may be bearable, but if one is suddenly angered or disturbed, the symptoms may range from mild dizziness and chest tightness to more serious conditions... there is a risk of stroke..."
"Stroke?!" Madam Liu exclaimed in shock, her face turning deathly pale.
Yuan Shao himself was startled by the words "soldier in action," and his face changed color.
"Don't try to fool us with your nonsense, Mr. Deng!"
Xu You slammed his fist on the table and shouted, “You, a mere ‘soldier,’ are trying to shake the foundation of the Yuan family and the morale of the army in Ye City! What special envoy, what disciple of Hua Tuo? You are nothing but a spy sent by Cao Cao!”
When Deng Jie thought of what Guo Tu had said about the methods he had used against Guo Jia and Deng Zhao, and what Guo Jia had told her about how this person was behind the prosperous commerce of Ye City, she was no longer timid upon hearing this, and a surge of resentment welled up in her heart.
She took out the "Yuan Family Secret Recipe" that Guo Jia had given her earlier from her sleeve and read it aloud, "This recipe... is it the health regimen that you have been taking recently?"
Everyone was shocked and looked at each other in bewilderment.
"What do you mean by this? This formula is a secret recipe for health preservation from the Western Regions. I obtained it from a foreign merchant and presented it to you, my lord!" Xu You said, his face turning stern as he retorted without a hint of regret.
"It turns out that the gentleman himself did not know the principle behind it, so he offered tribute at will."
When it came to matters of medicine, Deng Jie's confidence soared, and his face became more composed. He began to explain the flaws in the prescription to everyone:
Red ochre and stalactite are both potent and strong tonics, with strong and violent medicinal properties. When two strong herbs occupy the same position, they not only cannot work together, but are like fires fighting each other, depleting the body's vital energy.
Amethyst and white quartz are the assistant herbs, which are hot and dry in nature and each follows a separate meridian. Not only are they unable to harmonize the principal herbs, but they also act independently, making the circulation of qi and blood even more disordered and abnormal.
Adding strong, hot, and pungent adjuvants like sulfur is like adding fuel to the fire.
She paused, trying her best to explain in a way they could understand: "Medicine is like the court; only when the ruler and his ministers are in harmony and the ministers and assistants work together can it support the righteous and eliminate the evil, and strengthen the foundation and nourish the source."
Such a pairing, where the ruler and minister are not in harmony, is like a weak ruler and a strong minister, or two tigers fighting each other.
When ministers and advisors are at odds, it is like subordinates each having their own thoughts, making it difficult to work together.
The medicinal properties clash and interact, leading to a buildup of toxins and stagnation with prolonged use.
She then casually tossed the medicine bag she had bought from the stall owner onto the table, causing the cloth bag to spring open and scatter inferior medicinal materials.
She shook her head slightly and chuckled, "The common people all say that this is a health-preserving secret recipe that came from the Yuan family, and they are all vying to imitate it."
They simply couldn't afford the finest ingredients, so they used inferior ones instead... Such coarse substances have weak medicinal properties; although they can still harm people, they cannot cause the heat and toxins that accumulate in the internal organs.
Therefore, the common people who took these 'secret formulas' suffered from much milder illnesses than Lord Yuan and the gentlemen present.
She glanced at Yuan Shao, her eyes filled with more fear than anger, and secretly compared her gaze to Xu You, who still showed no sign of fear.
Having come from a merchant background, she immediately realized where the profits lay. She steeled herself and changed her tune, saying, "While folk remedies are not worth taking, the key issue is using them to create pretexts and amass huge fortunes!"
She then produced the receipt issued by the stall owner, saying, "My husband and I spent so much money on just one receipt."
At the time, the stall was crowded with people vying to buy things, and if this continued for too long... I fear that the money of the city's residents, along with their health, would be stolen by those with ulterior motives.
As she spoke, her gaze intentionally swept across Xu You for a moment, "Shouldn't Lord Yuan also keep an eye on this matter?"
As soon as she made this "thoughtful" remark, Guo Tu's eyes lit up, meeting Guo Jia's unexpectedly delighted gaze.
The two exchanged a brief glance, and Guo Tu then approached Feng Ji to pour him wine.
He lowered his voice and said, "Lord Yuantu, this matter should be handled by Master Ziyuan... Everyone knows him..."
As he spoke, he looked up at Xu You, pursed his lips, and said, "This is a great opportunity to investigate the merchants and rectify Ye City!"
Yuan Tu has recently become quite interested in the business, so why don't I recommend him to you, sir?"
Feng Ji glanced at Guo Tu warily and asked in a low voice, "What do you want?"
Guo Tu bowed slightly, "That's naturally... a shift from internal affairs to external matters..."
Feng Ji nodded in understanding. He had been dissatisfied with Xu You's control of the lucrative business, and now, after being provoked by Guo Tu, he was eager to take advantage of the opportunity to strike at Xu You or even get involved in the business. He pointed lightly at Guo Tu, and Guo Tu sat back down.
After he was seated, Feng Ji stood up and said, "My lord! What Madam Deng said is shocking!"
Such false prescriptions spread poison, harming the people and endangering the health of our lord!
The chaotic management of this business is appalling! This scourge must be thoroughly investigated!
Seeing the situation, Guo Tu stood up and bowed: "What Lord Yuan Tu said is correct. The matter originated in the market and it is not convenient for Mr. Zi Yuan to investigate it further. Lord Yuan Tu also has dealings with grain merchants. Why not let Lord Yuan Tu take on the role of supervisor?"
When Feng Ji jumped out to fight for the right to investigate, the people from Jizhou sitting opposite him could no longer remain seated.
The business world is inherently sensitive, and the potential profits are self-evident. Now that there is an opportunity, how can we allow the Nanyang faction to continue taking over?
He stood up abruptly, his voice booming, "Absurd! Xu Ziyuan is undoubtedly guilty of corruption in the market. Feng Yuantu, being a fellow native of Nanyang, is inevitably suspected of covering it up. This matter should be handed over to Pei, who will surely find the culprit and set the record straight!"
Ju Shou immediately followed suit. He knew that Shen Pei was strict and could represent the local forces of Ji Province to suppress the Nanyang faction. He immediately said loudly, "My lord! Shen Pei is upright and incorruptible, hates evil as if it were his enemy, and enforces the law as firmly as a mountain!"
Such a major case can only be solved by Zheng Nan! I humbly request your assistance!
Xu You struggled desperately: "My lord, do not so easily believe this matter of changing hands! I have also been framed in this scheme, and it is my responsibility to investigate it personally!"
Seeing this, Tian Feng couldn't help but feel annoyed. Guo Jia and Deng Jie were still there, yet they were arguing like this. No wonder Guo Fengxiao poured out his grievances as soon as he entered the door, and no one dared to refute him.
Amidst the clamor and argument, a clear, undisguised laugh suddenly rang out: "Hahaha! Brilliant! Brilliant!"
Guo Jia stood up, clapped his hands dramatically, took a few steps, and looked around at the strategists whose expressions were constantly changing. "If it weren't for Madam's guidance, I wouldn't have known that the conflicting properties of these medicines could be so toxic!"
"Disharmony between the ruler and his subjects?"
He suddenly looked at Yuan Shao, then quickly pointed at the strategists, "Isn't it just that the lord is suspicious of his ministers' high achievements, and the ministers resent the lord for hindering them?"
"Aren't they just one faction claiming to be veterans, and the other faction holding onto the new elite, viewing each other as mortal enemies, wishing they could tear each other apart?"
"Disloyal ministers?"
He pointed at the arguing Shen Pei and Feng Ji, and the sweating Xu You, saying, "Isn't it just that the people from Jizhou look down on those from Yingchuan, and the people from Yingchuan are wary of those from Nanyang? The people in charge of grain and fodder complain that the people in charge of the merchants are greedy, and the people in charge of military affairs hate the people in charge of money and grain for being stingy?"
Each one held its own ground, each acting independently, fearing that the other would take a share of the pie!
How is this any different from the phenomenon where amethyst and white quartz "each follow a different meridian, causing disorder and imbalance of qi and blood"?
"Accumulated toxins?"
Guo Jia raised his voice to its highest point, carrying a deafening question, and also venting his grievances from every mockery he had endured in the Yuan mansion from six years ago until now: "Isn't it all just your daily power struggles, mutual infighting, and framing each other!"
Isn't it all just the scheming, suspicion, resentment, and unwillingness in your hearts?
Day after day, it burned, fermented, and festered in that quagmire of "discord between ruler and subject" and "discord between ministers and assistants," which eventually brewed a "major internal ailment" that was difficult to eliminate and potentially fatal throughout Yecheng and Hebei!
Isn't this a perfect illustration of what my wife meant by "accumulated toxins"?
With each word he spoke, the strategist whose name was mentioned looked increasingly grim.
Yuan Shao's face was ashen, his fists clenched tightly under the table, and his complexion, which had just been restored by emergency treatment, worsened even further.
Seeing the disheveled state of everyone, speechless and exasperated, Guo Jia felt his resentment dissipate, and his exaggerated smile faded, replaced by a relieved calm.
"Lord Yuan, gentlemen, the serious illness of 'discord between ruler and minister,' 'discord between ministers and assistants,' and 'accumulation of stagnant toxins' is right before our eyes. The most urgent task is to stabilize the internal situation and consolidate the foundation."
It would be better if we all took a step back and each remained in our own situation.
He took two steps closer to Yuan Shao and said, "Lord Yuan, you have devoted all your strength in Hebei to sweep away Gongsun Zan of Youzhou and accomplish your goal in one battle!"
To thoroughly resolve the root cause of this discord between ruler and subject, and the alienation between ministers and assistants, isn't this far more practical and effective in "strengthening the foundation" than dealing with that brat Zhang Xiu from the Southern Alliance, who is separated by thousands of miles and unable to reach us?
"Oh, right!"
Upon hearing the word "Youzhou," Deng Jie seemed to suddenly remember something and continued Guo Jia's words, "I have heard that Youzhou is a bitterly cold place, and the Scutellaria baicalensis produced there is cold in nature. When combined with the nourishing and cooling ginseng from Liaodong, it is most effective in clearing away stagnant heat."
Deng Jie was speaking purely about medicine, but the people present didn't understand what he was saying at all.
Guo Jia was overjoyed. His wife's back-and-forth was perfectly coordinated. He smiled and nodded to his wife, and continued to persuade Yuan Shao: "That's right, Youzhou is the place that Lord Yuan should be most worried about right now."
My lord was actually shielding Yuan Gong from the 'scabies' of the south.
Zhang Xiu is fickle; he may form an alliance with you today, but abandon it tomorrow, thus damaging the friendship between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao.
Then there's Yuan Gonglu, who usurped the throne, and Lü Fengxian, who repeatedly acted recklessly.
Which of these people wasn't the root of all trouble? Which of them didn't covet Hebei and look down on Lord Yuan?
My lord led his troops south to annihilate Zhang Xiu, suppress Yuan Shu, and intimidate Lü Bu. Isn't this also clearing away Yuan Gong's flanks and eliminating potential threats?
Especially that Yuan Gonglu who usurped the throne; punishing him would be precisely to cleanse the Yuan family of its own ranks and uphold the clan's reputation in Runan.
Yuan Shao was first startled by Deng Jie's "sudden death," then had a headache from the arguing among his advisors, and then Guo Jia spoke vehemently. All the frustration in his heart turned into a heavy slap, and with a "smack," he silenced all the sounds in the hall.
"Enough!"
His gaze swept over Xu You, Feng Ji, and Shen Pei with a gloomy expression, then swept over Guo Jia. His voice was slightly tired, but he was suppressing his anger. "Fake prescriptions and inferior medicines are spreading poison and harming the people, endangering the Yuan family and all the ministers. This is a great threat that shakes the foundation!"
Shen Zhengnan and Guo Gongze! This matter is to be thoroughly investigated by the two of you!
First, investigate the source of the prescription; second, investigate the sale of counterfeit drugs; third, investigate the management of the business. We must find the mastermind and those who have neglected their duties, and punish them severely! No matter who is involved…”
As she spoke, her gaze towards Xu You intensified with hatred, "I will show no mercy!"
"Yes, sir!" Shen Pei and Guo Tu bowed and accepted the order at the same time.
Shen Pei's gaze was intense, while Guo Tu's lowered eyelids met Guo Jia's in a silent exchange of glances.
Yuan Shao took a moment to catch his breath, then looked at Guo Jia with a complicated expression, a hint of annoyance at being seen through and a sense of forced compromise: "As for Mengde... if he wants to fight Zhang Xiu, then let him fight!"
Tell him to focus on his Nanyang! Don't use the emperor's name to disturb his peace and quiet any longer!
"Step down!"
Guo Jia felt a huge weight lifted from his heart, but his face remained extremely respectful as he bowed deeply: "Lord Yuan is wise! I will convey this message to you!"
May Lord Yuan soon quell internal strife, obtain all the good medicines of Youzhou, regain his health, and pacify Hebei!
He pulled Deng Jie along, and amidst the various gazes of the room, they calmly withdrew from the magnificent yet turbulent main hall of the Yuan family mansion.
A note from the author:
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