Chapter Ninety-Seven: Viscount Linyang

South Huai Town was different from Chu Family Town. It, too, belonged to a noble’s domain. Its lord was named Lin Yang, a man of viscount rank.

It was said that Lin Yang had fought for seven years in the western campaign and earned many military merits before being granted the title of viscount and this fief of South Huai Town.

South Huai Town was fertile, rich in produce, and vast in territory, covering an area about one and a half times that of Chu Family Town. Even the limestone cave where Chu Yun gathered saltpeter fell under its jurisdiction.

From this alone, it was clear that Lin Yang was no ordinary man.

After hearing Chu Wencai’s introduction to Lin Yang, the lord of South Huai Town, Chu Yun could not help but frown slightly.

He only hoped that the people from his Chu Family Town, who were teaching the people of South Huai Town how to make soft leavened pancakes, fried dough sticks, and tofu, would earn Lin Yang’s goodwill and keep him from causing trouble.

But at that very moment, a group of men arrived.

Every one of them rode a horse, and all were sturdy, muscular fellows. Many of them looked fierce and menacing, as if they had come with ill intent.

Seeing this, Chu Wencai lowered his voice and said to Chu Yun, “Count, be careful. These should be Lord Lin Yang’s Tiger Guard.”

“It is said that this guard unit was brought back by Lin Yang from the battlefield back then. Every one of them is a skilled fighter. South Huai Town used to suffer from banditry, but all of it was dealt with by the Tiger Guard.”

A guard unit brought back from the battlefield?

Chu Yun was startled, a trace of surprise rising in his heart.

Setting aside the fact that such men had been through countless battles and were certainly formidable, the very act of bringing soldiers from the battlefield to serve as a personal guard was tantamount to deploying troops of the Great Qi Dynasty and exercising military authority. It was against the rules.

And yet Lin Yang had nothing to fear from it at all.

One could only say that Lin Yang truly was no simple figure.

Chu Yun came back to himself, his brow furrowing even more deeply as a headache began to form. He had no idea how he was supposed to make Lin Yang’s acquaintance.

Just then, a young man stepped out from behind the Tiger Guard and bowed to him. “May I ask if you are Count Chu Yun?”

Chu Yun nodded. “I am Chu Yun.”

The young man then bowed even more deeply, excitement clear in his voice. “Wonderful, it really is you, Count Chu Yun! Please, come with me at once. My father has been expecting you.”

So this young man was Lin Yang’s son.

Seeing how excited he was, his father must very much have wanted to meet him.

Chu Yun finally let out a breath of relief.

He smiled and said, “Very well. Let me make a few arrangements, and I will go with you.”

He then instructed the three major household heads to arrange for everyone to teach the people of South Huai Town how to make soft leavened pancakes, fried dough sticks, soy milk, tofu pudding, and tofu.

The Tiger Guard and Lin Yang’s son both smiled at this, clearly grateful for Chu Yun’s consideration.

After that, Chu Yun took Yang Liuer with him, mounted his horse, and followed the Tiger Guard to Lin Yang’s viscount manor. It was a large courtyard residence, neither luxurious nor impoverished, but at least much better than the house where the headman of Chu Family Town lived.

It could only be said that those who collected taxes always lived more comfortably than those who merely drew a salary. No wonder Chu Yun wanted a noble title.

After entering the viscount manor, however, Lin Yang’s son ordered the gates shut.

Hearing the door close behind them, Yang Liuer tugged anxiously at Chu Yun’s sleeve.

Chu Yun was also slightly taken aback, unease rising in his heart.

After dismounting and sending the horse to the stable, he brought Yang Liuer along and followed Lin Yang’s son to the main hall of the Lin residence. When he saw that Lin Yang was not waiting for him there, his worry deepened.

He wondered whether the people of South Huai Town’s warm welcome to the people of Chu Family Town had all been an act by Lin Yang, meant to lure him into the Lin residence so they could deal with him there.

Chu Yun could not help asking, “Where is Viscount Lin Yang?”

Lin Yang’s son turned back and bowed. “Count Chu Yun, my father is in his room. To tell the truth, when my father fought in the western campaign years ago, he was wounded and left with an old illness. Recently it has flared up again. We invited several folk doctors to examine him, and all of them said he had little time left.”

“But we cannot let word of his relapse spread, so we did not dare invite any physicians from the Shamanic Medicine Order. That is why we did not explain everything earlier and brought you here directly.”

“As far as we know, Count Chu Yun once dreamed of an immortal, received an immortal inheritance, and mastered remarkable medical arts. You even saved Young Master Qi, and only then were you granted your countship.”

“So we believe you can surely cure my father.”

After hearing this, Chu Yun was momentarily stunned before finally understanding why they had had the Tiger Guard escort him.

He said, “Why do you not dare to seek treatment from the physicians of the Shamanic Medicine Order? Do you have some grievance with them? If so, then they should have acted against you long ago, should they not?”

Lin Yang’s son replied, “Count Chu Yun, this cannot be explained in just a few words. Please, first examine my father.”

“Very well.”

Chu Yun did not press further. He followed Lin Yang’s son into Lin Yang’s room.

Inside, he saw a middle-aged woman, a young woman, two young men, and a little girl. They should have been Lin Yang’s main wife, concubine, and children.

After all, apart from servants, ordinary people could not simply remain in Lin Yang’s room.

Lin Yang’s son led Chu Yun inside and introduced him with a smile. “This is Count Chu Yun.”

At once, everyone hurriedly bowed to Chu Yun, greeting him respectfully and begging him to do everything possible to cure Lin Yang.

Chu Yun nodded. “Rest assured. I will do my best to treat Lord Lin Yang.”

With that, he turned his gaze to Lin Yang on the sickbed.

Lin Yang’s face was ashen, his expression pained. His eyes were tightly closed, and from time to time he let out a low moan of anguish. He looked to be in a very grave condition.

Chu Yun stepped forward and carefully took Lin Yang’s pulse. Very quickly, he reached a conclusion.

Seeing that he had finished, the Lin family could not help but ask urgently, “Count Chu Yun, how is he? Is there hope? Can he be cured?”

Chu Yun smiled and nodded. “Everyone, please be at ease. Although Viscount Lin Yang is nearing fifty, his body is as robust as that of a man in his twenties.”

“The main problem is that when he was injured back then, it was not treated properly, which left his channels obstructed. Later, he did not receive proper care, and with the damp, rainy weather of the past few days, the ailment has flared up again. It is not a serious issue. He simply needs gradual recuperation, and it will take time before he recovers.”

“Now I will give him a round of acupuncture to stimulate his meridians, then I will write a prescription. Give him ten doses. After that, pay close attention to his diet. He should eat less overly salty, sour, or cold foods, and he must not drink alcohol. With time, he will improve.”