Chapter Ninety-Three: The Weather Was About to Change

Aside from training the guard detachment, Chu Yun was also teaching thirty women how to provide nursing care.

Although medicine here was not advanced enough for much of modern nursing knowledge to be put to use, there were still many things he needed to teach them.

He stayed in Flatbank Manor for four days, and in that time he had only managed to impart the barest beginnings.

Yet the thirty women had come to understand medical care far more deeply. They knew it was a profound discipline, one that could truly save lives when the moment demanded it.

As soon as they thought of how Chu Yun’s fief lay close to a battlefield, where war might break out at any time, and how their husbands and families would then need care if they were sick or wounded in combat, they studied with utmost seriousness.

When Chu Yun was not teaching them and was instead training the guard detachment, they still learned from one another with great diligence and humility. In just four days, they had made remarkable progress.

By the time Chu Yun had stayed in Flatbank Manor for four days, the grain he had bought later was nearly gone. Before leaving, he sought out Baron Cheng Qiong and asked to buy more.

To his surprise, Cheng Qiong simply gave him several carts of grain for free.

Chu Yun was deeply grateful, yet also puzzled. “Baron Cheng Qiong, what do you mean by this?”

Cheng Qiong said, “Count Chu Yun, during these four days you stayed in Flatbank Manor, I’ve been watching you. I’ve realized how extraordinary you are. You are truly a man who has inherited divine teachings.”

“And since Young Master Qi is dead, the Great Qi Dynasty is about to undergo a great upheaval. But I believe you will not be affected by it. On the contrary, you will blaze a trail toward a far broader horizon.”

“Even if you are headed west, even if you have conflict with the Wuzheng Medical Sect, I still believe in you.”

“I only hope that one day, when I need help, you will lend me a hand.”

Chu Yun said, “You let us stay in your manor for four days. I already owe you a tremendous favor...”

Cheng Qiong shook his head. “Count Chu Yun, your favor is worth far more than this!”

After thinking for a moment, Chu Yun said, “All right. I’ll make you a friend. If you ever need help in the future, come find me. As long as I can help, I certainly will.”

Cheng Qiong smiled. “Good. Then I wish Count Chu Yun a safe journey.”

After that, Chu Yun had his men load the grain Cheng Qiong had given them, preparing to continue on their way.

But while the grain was being loaded, someone discovered that in addition to the grain, there were also several waterproof tents. He hurried forward to report, “My lord, Lord Cheng also gave us waterproof tents.”

Waterproof tents?

Wasn’t that military supplies?

Before, when he had asked Cheng Qiong to sell them, Cheng Qiong had refused. Bai Hao had also warned him not to buy them, saying it was illegal, punishable by death, and would give the Wuzheng Medical Sect a public pretext to move against him.

So why, after four days in Flatbank Manor, had Cheng Qiong given him waterproof tents?

Even if Cheng Qiong had given them away, if others said he had sold them, that was still a grave crime!

Chu Yun was puzzled at first, but just as he was about to seek out Cheng Qiong, he suddenly remembered what Cheng Qiong had said: that Young Master Qi was dead, and the Great Qi Dynasty was about to change.

In an instant, he understood.

Bai Hao also heard that Cheng Qiong had given Chu Yun waterproof tents, and immediately came to find him. “Count Chu Yun, why would Baron Cheng Qiong give you waterproof tents? Is he trying to help the Wuzheng Medical Sect frame you? But then why did he give us grain?”

Chu Yun said, “Lord Bai, I think Baron Cheng Qiong gave me the waterproof tents because he believes that on the road ahead, we may no longer encounter pursuit or ambush from the Wuzheng Medical Sect.”

Bai Hao looked bewildered. “Why would that be? You killed one of the Wuzheng Medical Sect’s physicians, and besides, there was already conflict between you. Would they let you go?”

Chu Yun shook his head. “Of course they won’t let me go. But I think they have something more important to deal with. Lord Bai, I no longer need your protection. Hurry back to the royal city. The King of Qi is in danger!”

Bai Hao was first stunned, then cried out in alarm. “Count Chu Yun, are you saying the Wuzheng Medical Sect is going after the King of Qi?”

Chu Yun nodded.

Bai Hao shook his head. “Impossible. They don’t have that kind of nerve.”

Chu Yun said, “The Wuzheng Medical Sect controls the entire medical system of the Great Qi Dynasty, and even several neighboring vassal kingdoms. They have many ways to kill the King of Qi.”

After hearing this, Bai Hao immediately bowed and took his leave. “Then, Count Chu Yun, I’m sorry. For the road ahead, you will have to walk it on your own. I can no longer protect you.”

Chu Yun said, “Lord Bai, take care. Thank you for your protection during this time.”

He said it aloud, but in truth he had long been eager for Bai Hao to leave.

After all, Bai Hao was effectively there to monitor him on behalf of the King of Qi.

That made many things inconvenient.

Bai Hao did not waste any more words. At once he turned, led his small cavalry unit away, and hastened toward the royal city.

Chu Yun watched their departing figures, and a trace of worry rose in his heart.

“Let us hope we can meet again.”

“And Lord Luo Feng!”

“And that craftsman named Luo Seven!”

Chu Yun sighed.

Then Chen Ping came to his side. “Yun’er, Lord Bai and the others have left? They aren’t protecting us anymore?”

Chu Yun said, “The Great Qi Dynasty may be on the verge of upheaval. The King of Qi is in danger, so they hurried back to the royal city to protect him. I don’t know whether we’ll ever meet again.”

Chen Ping said, “Then what if the Wuzheng Medical Sect comes after us? I know you selected sixty guards, but they’ve only just begun training. They have no real strength yet.”

Chu Yun said, “The Wuzheng Medical Sect is busy dealing with the King of Qi right now. For the moment, they probably won’t have time for us. Uncle, go call Huang Da Niu over.”

Chen Ping frowned but agreed, then went to fetch Huang Da Niu.

“My lord, hehe, you were looking for me?” Huang Da Niu asked with a grin as he came to Chu Yun’s side.

For the past few days Chu Yun had ignored him, and he thought Chu Yun had forgotten all about him. When he heard Chu Yun was looking for him, he rushed over at once, so out of breath he could barely speak.

Chu Yun said, “Do you still have that jar without a bottom?”

Huang Da Niu grinned. “Hehe, I’ve got it.”

With that, he turned and left. Before long he returned with the jar and, with remarkable understanding, held it up for Chu Yun.

Chu Yun could not help but smile, inwardly admiring how quick-witted Huang Da Niu was.

Then, using the jar as a megaphone, he said, “Lord Bai’s cavalry detachment has left. I know some of you are worried, afraid that no one will be left to protect us.”

“But I want to tell you this: the reason they departed is because they know we will be safe on the road ahead. They no longer need to protect us.”

“The Wuzheng Medical Sect will not trouble us anymore, and no one will cause us trouble along this journey. Everything has already been resolved.”

“More than that, we now have our own guard detachment!”

“Though they are not yet strong enough, I believe they will defend us with their lives, because we are one family!”

When he finished, he summoned the three great clan heads and told them to arrange the middle and smaller clan heads to soothe everyone.