Chapter 20 The Eastern Expedition Against Lü Bu (Part 4) Since the lady is skilled in medicine, would you dare to...?
“Speaking of the Book of Poetry…” Deng Jie recalled that Chen Qun had just called Xun Wei “Shen Ge,” which must have been her childhood name.
"My mother also loves the Book of Poetry. She once read me a line from the poem 'Four Stallions' in the Lesser Odes of the Kingdom: "
Riding those four camels, they gallop swiftly. How could I not long to return home?
This is used as a song to remember my mother.
She paused for a moment, "I wonder if your given name comes from here? My mother often says that a name contains the deepest expectations and thoughts of one's parents."
"'Please come and think of your mother'..." A hint of surprise flashed in Xun Wei's eyes, followed by a pang of sorrow.
"Mrs. Deng is intelligent; she will surely understand the sentiment of remembrance in these words..."
Deng Jie's unintentional remark about "parents' expectations and thoughts" was like a key, precisely unlocking the tightly closed door in Xun Wei's heart.
She paused for a moment, her gaze falling on the desolate scenery outside the pavilion, her calm voice unable to conceal the bitterness in it: "Did Fengxiao ever tell you that I am actually... not of the Xun family bloodline?"
Deng Jie stared in astonishment.
She had never heard of this before.
Xun Wei was originally the orphan of the Tang family. She entered the Xun family as part of Madam Tang's dowry when she was three years old. At that time, Xun Yu had not been married for long and had not yet taken charge of the household, so she was raised as a maidservant by Madam Tang's side.
When she was nine years old, she was favored by Xun Yu. Xun Yu, mindful of his relationship with Tang Shi and impressed by her intelligence and wit, defied public opinion and made an exception to register her under his name after his coming-of-age ceremony, giving her the identity of "Xun Shi's daughter" and even allowing her to enter the clan school that did not belong to her.
The two characters "谂歌" (Shen Ge) were Xun Yu's way of understanding her loneliness and helplessness, allowing her to find a glimmer of light to comfort her restless longing.
"It's just a little wishful thinking on my part. Although I know my father treated me sincerely, I always felt that this favor was something I owed... I've always been thinking about leaving myself a 'way out,' even though the Tang family has long since vanished. Perhaps you think that I shouldn't be so ungrateful since I have no memory of the Tang family..."
For some reason, Deng Jie was moved by what he heard and gently took her hand. "No... I think those six years were not easy. If it weren't for Mr. Wenruo's compassion, Madam would have had a very difficult time in that secluded mansion."
"You... are even more..."
"Madam!" A maidservant in a hurry interrupted their conversation, startling Deng Jie into quickly withdrawing her hand.
The maid whispered something in Xun Wei's ear and then left.
Deng Jie had once heard Deng Zhao say that when the young lady of the Xun family was in Ye City, she had set up a network of female spies for the Xun family, and she herself was in charge of this matter when she entered the Zhen family.
Deng Jie guessed that the whispers were probably about some commotion inside Xiapi City.
As expected, Xun Wei then asked Deng Jie, "Since you are skilled in medicine, would you dare to come with me to Hou Cheng's residence?"
Deng Jie's heart skipped a beat. Guo Jia had told her about Hou Cheng on the way, and she immediately replied, "I dare!"
Xun Wei arranged for carriages and horses, and the two set off for Hou Cheng's residence.
She handed the "amnesty decree" back to Deng Jie, instructing him: "Changwen originally advised Lü Bu to surrender but was refused. However, he himself cannot openly rebel before Lü Bu's defeat and surrender..."
“I understand! I told you… how about it being Liu Yuzhou’s envoy? Liu Yuzhou is known for his benevolence and righteousness, and he has a past relationship with Lü Bu, so he’s more trustworthy. If the two of us can’t escape unscathed, at least we won’t implicate Young Master Chen and my senior brother.” She was trying to find an identity that could protect others to the greatest extent possible.
Xun Wei's eyes showed approval, but he immediately reminded him: "It's easy to establish an identity, but difficult to find a token. To gain the trust of a suspicious person like Hou Cheng, empty words are not enough; you need evidence to prove your identity."
A token?
Deng Jie paused, then a thought struck him. He pulled out a jade pendant from his pocket, engraved with the character "关" (Guan). "This... will this work?"
Xun Wei took it and examined it closely. "Where did you get this?"
Deng Jie recalled Guan Yu's words, "This matter should not be publicized beforehand," and could only vaguely reply, "If it is obtained through righteous means, it must be returned after the matter is accomplished."
Xun Wei pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Guan Yu is Liu Bei's sworn brother, and their bond is stronger than that of brothers. This item can indeed represent Liu Bei's trusted confidant. Perhaps we can give it a try."
Deng Jie solemnly held the jade pendant in his palm, silently apologized to Guan Yu, then took a deep breath, preparing to face the unknown challenge.
Hou Cheng's residence was heavily guarded, and the atmosphere was oppressive.
Lady Hou was anxious because her husband had a persistent high fever and all the doctors in the city had been deliberately forbidden from visiting the Hou residence by Lü Bu. Upon hearing that Lady Chen Gongcao had come to visit with a doctor, she personally went out to greet her.
"When Changwen heard that the general was seriously ill, he specially asked me to find a doctor in secret. Although she was a woman, her medical skills were remarkable."
"Madam, please don't say such things. In the city, only Chen Gongcao is willing to go against Marquis Wen's orders to find a doctor for us." Marquis Cheng's wife was so desperate that she was overjoyed to see Deng Jie dressed as an apprentice of "Junjishe". Without much thought, she led the two into the mansion.
The inner room reeked of medicine. Hou Cheng lay naked on the couch, his face flushed and his breathing heavy. The whip marks on his back were surrounded by red, swollen, and festering wounds, emitting a faint stench.
Deng Jie strode forward, carefully examined the wound, and took the pulse. His brows furrowed. "Madam, the general's whip wound is extremely deep and has not been properly cleaned in time. The evil poison has entered his body and has caused rotting flesh, which is why his high fever persists. The wound needs to be cleaned and the rotten flesh removed immediately, otherwise the consequences will be dire."
"Clean...clean the wound?" Madam Hou's face turned ashen.
"Indeed, we need to use a sharp blade to scrape away the rotten flesh and apply a medicine to promote tissue regeneration and remove the poison."
Deng Jie studied medicine under Hua Tuo. Besides studying Guo Jia's tuberculosis, his specialty was treating sores. The composure and confidence on his face were genuine.
As he spoke, he took out a dagger from the small blue pouch at his waist. The bright, cold light made the lady almost lose her balance, and Xun Wei stepped forward to support her.
"Madam, a physician needs to concentrate and calm his mind when performing surgery, and we may disturb him if we stay here. Why don't we go outside to rest for a while and also prepare some hot water and towels for the physician?"
Lady Hou was completely disoriented and let Xun Wei help her out.
Before leaving, Xun Wei gave Deng Jie a look that said, "Go ahead and do it."
Hou Cheng lay drowsy on the couch, but remained vigilant: "Who exactly are you? Are you here to harm this general?"
Deng Jie arranged the medicine pot, needle pouch, and dagger from the medicine bag on the table where Hou Cheng could see them, took off the plaque of Hua Tuo's disciple and placed it in the closest place to him, and finally lit incense for him.
"General, please do not worry. I am indeed a physician." Deng Jie quickly washed her hands, took out a sharp knife she carried with her and heated it over a fire. "I came in a hurry and did not bring any anesthetic powder. Please bear with me, General."
She held the candle close, then held her breath and began to steadily scrape away the rotting flesh with her wrist.
The excruciating pain caused the dazed Hou Cheng to convulse and roar violently. The guards at the door gripped their sword hilts tightly, but seeing Deng Jie's precise and swift movements and focused and steady gaze, they could only suppress their own movements.
As the rotten flesh was removed and fresh blood seeped out, Deng Jie quickly rinsed the wound with the prepared medicine, then applied a thick layer of specially made black plaster that emitted a strong, bitter medicinal smell, and then bandaged it with clean cloth strips.
As the blood clots were expelled, Hou Cheng's high fever seemed to subside. The burning sensation after the excruciating pain gradually transformed his roars into heavy panting.
"General, the wound has been cleaned." Deng Jie breathed a sigh of relief, washed his hands, picked up some warm water, and used his finger to apply some to Hou Cheng's lips. "You have lost a lot of blood, so you should not drink water immediately."
Hou Cheng's eyes were filled with complex emotions. He grabbed Deng Jie's wrist and asked in a hoarse voice, "Who exactly are you?"
Deng Jie picked up her nameplate and waved it in front of Hou Cheng, saying, "I am not lying; I am indeed a physician."
With a gentle struggle, she shook off Hou Cheng's weak hand. "However, General, you are wise. I am also an envoy sent by Liu Yuzhou."
"You? Sent by Liu Bei?" Hou Cheng asked, somewhat incredulous.
"Exactly."
Deng Jie put down his water bowl, straightened his back, and tried to appear more confident. "Prefect Liu Yuzhou was deeply saddened to hear of the calamity the General has suffered. Lü Bu is mean and ungrateful, not fit to be a wise ruler. Prefect Liu Yuzhou specifically sent me here, firstly to inquire about the General's injuries, and secondly..."
She paused, observing Hou Cheng's reaction, "Secondly, I would like to ask the general whether he is willing to abandon darkness and embrace the light?"
Hou Cheng's eyes flashed with a fierce light. He struggled to sit up, but the movement aggravated his wounds, causing another sharp pain. He hissed, "Abandoning darkness for light? Hmph! Wasn't Lu Bu sending you to test me?! Guards!"
The guards at the door immediately drew their swords and rushed in!
Deng Jie's heart tightened, and he realized he had been too blunt!
As her guards approached, she suppressed her panic and, in a moment of quick thinking, took out the jade pendant engraved with the character "Guan" and held it high: "General, please wait!"
Hou Cheng had seen this item in Liu Bei's camp before and recognized it as Guan Yu's personal jade pendant. He waved to stop his guards and stared intently at the pendant: "Guan Yu's jade pendant? How did it end up in your hands?"
"This was entrusted to me personally by General Guan!"
Seeing that the jade pendant was effective, Deng Jie felt somewhat relieved, but his tone was still somewhat hurried, "Liu Yuzhou and General Guan are like brothers. This item can prove that what I said is true! How could Lü Bu get his hands on General Guan's personal belongings? Why would he need to go through all this trouble to test you? If he suspects you, wouldn't it be more swift to just kill him?"
Hou Cheng's eyes flickered, clearly somewhat persuaded, but his suspicions remained: "Even so, Liu Bei can hardly protect himself, what use is there in surrendering to him?"
The opportunity has arrived!
Deng Jie immediately took out the "Amnesty Edict" from his bosom and unfolded it in front of Hou Cheng: "General, you are wise! Now Liu Bei and Cao Cao are besieging the city together. This is Cao Cao's 'Amnesty Edict.' Liu Bei ordered me to bring it into the city and hand it over to you, General. It says that 'only the chief villain Lü Bu will be executed. All the others who abandon the darkness and turn to the light will be pardoned and rewarded according to their merits!'"
Hou Cheng pulled the silk scroll over to examine it closely. It indeed bore the seal of Cao Cao, the Minister of Works; it couldn't be faked. However, the pain still made him gasp for breath. "Is...is it really true?"
"Absolutely true!" Deng Jie declared firmly. "Cao Cao's word is as good as gold, and Liu Bei's reputation for benevolence and righteousness is known throughout the land! If you, General, can achieve great merit, for example..."
She abruptly changed the subject, her gaze sharp, and went straight to the point: "For example, offer up that Red Hare horse?"
"Red Hare?" Hou Cheng was taken aback, then smiled wryly. "Red Hare is more precious to Lü Bu than his own concubine. Although I take care of Red Hare myself, I can't get it out of my sight. Unless..."
"Unless what?" Deng Jie pressed.
"Unless it's a bronze tally for taming horses personally bestowed by Lü Bu!"
Hou Cheng's eyes flashed with ruthlessness. "That bronze talisman is divided into two halves, one in my hand and the other embedded in Lü Bu's personal token. Only when they are put together can it be opened to summon Red Hare. Lü Bu carries that token with him at all times!"
“This…” Deng Jie frowned, “The Lü residence is heavily guarded, how could we possibly obtain a token?”
Hou Cheng sized Deng Jie up and down, a hint of ill intent in his eyes: "With a face like yours, young lady... if you want to get close to Lü Bu, perhaps..."
His unfinished meaning was extremely insulting.
Deng Jie's face flushed red instantly, filled with shame and anger, and his fingers gripped the dagger tightly.
Just then, Hou Cheng seemed to remember something and relaxed: "Oh, but... there won't be a chance anytime soon. Marquis Wen has been spending every night at the Qin residence for the past few months."
"The Qin residence?!"
"Not bad!" Hou Cheng's face revealed an ambiguous smile. "That Lady Du of the Qin family is incredibly beautiful. Qin Yilu has never returned since he was sent to Shouchun to ask Yuan Shu for help for Lü Bu. The mansion is empty and lonely... Naturally, Marquis Wen should go and 'alleviate Lady Du's loneliness.' Hehe, as for that token... perhaps the young lady could try her luck at the Qin family's residence?"
Deng Jie's mind raced. The token and Guan Yu's affairs both depended on Madam Du. This was simply a golden opportunity!
Suppressing her excitement, she immediately seized the opportunity: "General, if I could infiltrate the Qin residence and find a way to steal the token..."
"If you really get that token, I'll personally lead Red Hare to Liu Bei!" Hou Cheng's eyes lit up.
"Alright! Words are no proof, General, please also provide a token!" Deng Jie also became smarter, remembering Xun Wei's words, and tried to appear more composed. "After I get the token, I will exchange it for the jade pendant. I need to take the jade pendant back to report."
These words reassured Hou Cheng somewhat. He took out a bronze token from beside the bed and handed it to Deng Jie: "This is my mansion's bronze token. If you obtain the token, you can enter and see me."
Deng Jie accepted the heavy bronze plaque and solemnly handed Guan Yu's jade pendant to Hou Cheng.
Just then, Xun Wei helped Lady Houcheng, whose complexion had calmed down, push open the door and enter.
Hou Cheng was already unsettled when he suddenly saw Xun Wei's sharp gaze fixed on the tokens he and Deng Jie had just exchanged. He was immediately alarmed: she was Chen Qun's wife. What if she was secretly colluding with Chen Gong, or using Chen Qun's name to bring people to test him and catch him red-handed?
"Guards!" Hou Cheng shouted, ignoring the excruciating pain from his back wound, "Tie up Madam Xun!"
The guards at the door and several other guards who rushed over upon hearing the commotion immediately pounced on him like wolves. His own wife was pushed and almost fell to the ground, but they held Xun Wei down firmly.
"What are you doing?!" Madam Hou Cheng cried out in shock.
"General!" Deng Jie exclaimed at the same time, her mind went blank, but her body reacted instinctively. She actually drew the spear from her pouch and held it to Hou Cheng's neck!
Even Hou Cheng was stunned.
"Who exactly are you?!" Hou Cheng secretly regretted his oversight.
"I sincerely made a deal with you, so why did you kidnap my wife?!" Deng Jie said angrily, his grip on the knife tightening.
"It was my oversight! I should have known sooner that you were spies sent by Chen Gong!" Hou Cheng roared, his voice stern but his voice weak.
"A spy?" Xun Wei scoffed. "Is there any bigger spy in Xiapi than someone who steals and exchanges fine grain for personal gain?!"
"What...what did you say?!"
Seeing that he was flustered, Xun Wei shook his arm, which was being held by the guards, and said, "I say, Lu Bu's Red Hare is usually fed with a mixture of good and bad materials, not to mention the other warhorses... So, which general's mansion did this embezzled military rations end up in?"
Hou Cheng's face turned pale instantly, and his whole body trembled violently. The fear he felt at this moment, stemming from what he thought was a flawless scheme, was more terrifying than the blade at his neck.
"You...you mustn't be making false accusations!" Hou Cheng's voice trembled.
"Slanderous accusations?" Xun Wei sneered, his gaze sweeping over Madam Hou Cheng, whose face had also changed drastically, and said meaningfully, "That old Liu in the back alley of your mansion who specializes in collecting inferior fodder, has he recently made a small fortune? If this gets to Lü Bu, given his temper, do you think you'll survive tonight?"
Hou Cheng dared not speak again, but seeing Xun Wei's eyes signaling him to release her, he slowly said, "So General, instead of suspiciously arresting me, you should hurry up and help Cao's army attack the city. Not only can you secure your savings, but you can also ask Cao Sikong for a reward."
Her gaze swept over Madam Hou Cheng again: "Besides, this girl just saved the general's life, and Madam is deeply grateful. If she repays kindness with enmity and this gets out, even if she submits to a new master in the future, who will dare to employ her?"
Hou Cheng swallowed hard, still feeling the chill of the dagger pressed against his neck.
He stared at Xun Wei with composure, a stark contrast to his wife who was weeping uncontrollably.
Thinking of his embezzlement of military funds, he suddenly lost all strength and said dejectedly, "What you say is absolutely right... let her go."
The guards looked at Hou Cheng, and only after receiving confirmation did they release Xun Wei.
Xun Wei moved his twisted wrist, his expression calm, as if the danger he had just experienced had never happened.
Deng Jie slowly withdrew the dagger he had been pressing against Hou Cheng's neck, but his eyes remained wary.
She stepped back to Xun Wei's side and instinctively protected her.
But the resolute decision he made when the dagger was drawn just now stirred a warm current in Xun Wei's heart.
"Fine... I'll trust you this time!" Hou Cheng panted heavily, looking at the two completely different yet equally formidable women with complicated expressions. "With the token in hand, I'll personally deliver Red Hare! As for those old brothers in Bingzhou, Wei Xu and Song Xian, I can persuade them to defect in the face of battle!"
Xun Wei smiled with satisfaction: "General, you've finally realized it."
Hou Cheng looked at her knowing expression and realized that she knew the two men were accomplices... He couldn't help but feel a chill.
"Cao Cao's 'amnesty decree' is here. Liu Bei is benevolent and righteous. As long as you sincerely submit, surrender the city, and capture Bu, you will be richly rewarded!" Xun Wei said solemnly, emphasizing the guarantee of the "amnesty decree" once again.
"It's a deal!" Hou Cheng gritted his teeth.
"Farewell!" Xun Wei said no more and tugged at Deng Jie's sleeve.
Deng Jie understood, gave Hou Cheng one last wary look, and, holding Xun Wei's arm, the two quickly walked outside.
The carriage drove away from the Marquis's residence, its wheels rolling over the desolate streets of Xiapi, and the interior remained silent.
Only after they were far away from the Marquis's residence did Deng Jie finally breathe a sigh of relief, feeling his back soaked in cold sweat. His hands, which had been trembling as he held the dagger, were now able to relax.
Are you alright?
After Deng Jie calmed herself down, she first showed concern for Xun Wei, "Are you injured? Let me take a look?" As she spoke, she tried to check Xun Wei's hands and neck, but Xun Wei grabbed her hand instead.
Xun Wei stared at her in silence for a moment before speaking: "I'm fine."
She lowered her head, unfolded Deng Jie's palm, felt a slight dampness, and chuckled, "You're quite bold. No wonder Fengxiao treats you like this..."
Deng Jie laughed even more easily, “No wonder you and Fengxiao… I now think that you two are indeed similar. You are both calm in the face of danger, eloquent, and insightful. You are truly admirable. It is very reassuring to be with you.”
“What… Madam, please don’t speak nonsense.” Xun Weiwu’s ears burned.
Deng Jie chuckled, noticing how completely different she appeared from her earlier aloof demeanor, and couldn't help but feel a desire to get closer: "May I... call you by your maiden name, Madam? It's customary among friends to do so. Ah, if Madam feels I'm being presumptuous..."
"Okay!" Xun Wei agreed without much thought. "You know that only this name truly belongs to me... Okay."
“Shen Ge”.
“Then I… shall I call you ‘Leyi’? That would be a perfect match for Fengxiao.”
“Not this ‘Leyi’!” Deng Jie said shyly, taking out the nameplate to show her. “My mother said that her favorite poem is ‘Jing Nu’ from the Book of Songs, Beifeng, so it was named this.”
Xun Wei took the plaque and gently stroked the two characters "Shuo Yi".
“‘The red tube is bright, and the woman is beautiful’... Your mother must have you in her heart.”
Upon hearing this, Deng Jie's eyes reddened as well. "Yes... my mother, brother, and sister-in-law have all treated me very well..."
She carefully put away the nameplate, then changed the subject to extricate herself from this emotion: "If I addressed you like that in front of Young Master Chen, wouldn't he be angry with me?"
Xun Wei's eyes darted around, as if the image of his glaring face had already appeared in his mind. He covered his mouth and laughed, "Who cares!"
A note from the author:
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I'm numb. I only wanted to write about daily life, but I've ended up writing more and more [clown]. I really want to go back to Xuchang.
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