Chapter Fifty-One: There Are Other Ways

Chu Yun glanced around and found a spot where the scent of medicine was less pungent. He ordered someone to stand there and use the last cauldron to kindle a fire and brew the medicine. He instructed, “Once this decoction is ready, soak a linen cloth in it and use it to wipe away the sweat that appears on Young Lord Qi’s body.”

“Understood,” the person replied and immediately began preparing the fire and brewing the medicine.

Chu Yun then addressed the five people brewing medicine, “When your water boils away, add more and continue brewing. After you’ve added water three times, switch to a new batch of medicinal herbs.”

After giving these directions, he left Young Lord Qi’s chamber and summoned the steward of the Eastern Palace, instructing him to have people ready with herbs and water at all times, prepared to add water and change the medicine as needed.

The steward answered swiftly and arranged for people to carry out the orders.

Chu Yun then turned to King Qi and Lord Luo Feng. “Your Majesty, Lord Luo, now you understand why I had people prepare firewood and cauldrons?”

Luo Feng smiled, “Indeed, Doctor Chu. So you intend for Young Lord Qi to absorb the medicinal vapors, treating him with steam. Such a method is truly ingenious.”

King Qi was generous with his praise, “It is indeed remarkable. I thought you would merely treat him with external applications, but did not expect this.”

Zhou Bing’s expression grew increasingly grim, fearing Chu Yun would truly cure Young Lord Qi. After all, the prescription itself was sound; only Chu Yun’s treatment method was even more clever.

Chu Yun bowed to King Qi. “Your Majesty, the external application could treat Young Lord Qi, but given his critical condition, his life hangs by a thread. External application is simply too slow.”

King Qi smiled, “Doctor Chu, you possess not only superb medical skill but also intelligence, wisdom, and composure.”

Zhou Bing interjected, “Doctor Chu, you claim your method can cure Young Lord Qi more quickly. How much faster, I wonder?”

King Qi snorted coldly, “Celestial Master Zhou, why ask such a thing? No matter how long Doctor Chu takes to heal my son, and whether he succeeds or not, I shall not hold it against him.”

Zhou Bing waved his hand, “Your Majesty, that will not do! Young Lord Qi is lying exposed before so many people—this is an affront to his dignity. The longer this continues, the greater the loss of face for Young Lord Qi, and ultimately for Your Majesty. Your face represents the honor of the entire Qi Dynasty!”

King Qi fell silent and looked to Chu Yun.

Chu Yun considered for a moment and said, “Let us wait until dawn and see whether Young Lord Qi awakens.”

He then addressed King Qi, “But there is no need to worry, for I have yet another method to treat Young Lord Qi. I will begin preparations for this alternative.”

King Qi replied, “Doctor Chu, I leave it in your hands.”

Chu Yun answered, “Your Majesty, there is no need for formality.”

Zhou Bing snorted, “Chu Yun, how bold you are—to have another method and not use it immediately!”

Chu Yun replied, “This method is somewhat complex and requires some time to prepare.”

King Qi spoke up for him, “Celestial Master Zhou, if you continue to interfere with Doctor Chu’s treatment, do not blame me for being less than polite.”

Zhou Bing pursed his lips and could only remain silent.

King Qi then looked at Chu Yun, “Doctor Chu, rest assured, proceed boldly. I shall give you my full support.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Chu Yun replied.

He then instructed the steward of the Eastern Palace, “Have someone cut bamboo for me—I need a bamboo tube, and also a thin bamboo stick. The thinner, the better, and have the craftsmen hollow out the stick without damaging it. It would be best to prepare several, for they must be boiled in water and may be ruined in the process.”

The steward nodded and promptly arranged for people to carry out the task.

Meanwhile, King Qi, Luo Feng, and Zhou Bing were all bewildered, unable to fathom why Chu Yun needed these items, or how they could possibly be used to treat Young Lord Qi.

King Qi could not help but ask, “Doctor Chu, how will the bamboo tube and bamboo stick be used to treat Young Lord Qi?”

Zhou Bing chimed in, “Doctor Chu, you aren’t planning to flog Young Lord Qi with the bamboo stick to shock him awake, are you? The Witch Doctors of the Wu Dynasty, led by their branch master Xu Tian, have developed a method of stimulating acupuncture points with needles, known as acupuncture. He tried it on Young Lord Qi, but it did not work.”

Chu Yun ignored him and addressed King Qi, “My treatment does not involve striking Young Lord Qi and thus offending his person. As for what Celestial Master Zhou mentioned—the acupuncture method—it was also imparted to me by an immortal in a dream. If Young Lord Qi’s illness could be treated thus, I would have already used it. As for how I intend to use the bamboo tube and stick, I must beg your pardon, Your Majesty, for the method is extremely perilous and unless absolutely necessary, I will not employ it. Today, I hope it will not be needed.”

King Qi waved his hand, “No matter. If it is so dangerous and not convenient to reveal, then do not speak of it.”

Chu Yun smiled and bowed. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

In truth, his intention was to use the bamboo tube and thin bamboo stick as substitutes for an IV bottle and IV tube. But no matter how thin the bamboo, it could never match the fineness and strength of a medical needle, and would be difficult to insert into a vein—hard to operate indeed.

Moreover, he needed to infuse Young Lord Qi with saline and glucose. In such a primitive place, it would be extremely difficult to prepare these two substances.

Fortunately, before dawn, one of the people brewing medicine for Young Lord Qi burst out excitedly, shouting, “He’s opened his eyes! Young Lord Qi has opened his eyes!”

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Chapter Fifty-One: Another Method—Free to Read.