Chapter 075: Testing Medical Skills

Xu Zhenglin certainly knows how to put on airs as an official; mobilizing so many people just because his wife caught a cold? I’ve heard that Physician Fang never makes house calls. You’d better go back and have Xu Zhenglin bring his wife to the medical hall," Wu Ji waved them away disdainfully.

"This general is quite right. Our young master cares deeply for the people and has been treating patients for several days and nights without rest. Please bring the patient here. Of course, if it’s just a common cold, any doctor should be able to manage it," Zhou Bold replied promptly.

He had already noticed that these men did not truly come to seek the divine physician; rather, they seemed intent on causing trouble. He was prepared to teach them a lesson, but with Wu Ji taking the lead, he let it pass.

"Yes, yes, we’ll go back at once. May I ask the general's name? Our commander would like to pay his respects to you in person," the leader asked, cupping his hands respectfully, yet probing Wu Ji’s identity.

"Tell him I am Wu Ji of the Fei Feng Army," Wu Ji replied, fully aware they were trying to gauge his background, but unconcerned. With solid standing and plenty of cards up his sleeve, he was confident that Xu Zhenglin, commander of the Weiwu Army, would not dare complain about him.

"Thank you, general, for speaking so righteously," Zhou Bold saluted Wu Ji once the men had left. "May I ask what brings you here today?"

"To be frank, a friend of mine suffers from consumption. I wonder if Physician Fang can treat such an illness?" Wu Ji inquired.

"Our young master is a true divine physician; there is no ailment in the world he cannot cure. However, you must bring the patient to the medical hall. He is too busy to make house calls," Zhou Bold replied with a smile.

"That’s good to hear. I’ll bring my friend here for treatment. Thank you for your guidance," Wu Ji said, saluting before turning to leave.

Upon returning to the Princess Royal’s residence, Lan Xin immediately sought him out. "General Wu, you’ve just come back to Wudu and are already running errands for the princess—how hard you work."

"Serving the princess is no hardship; it’s part of my duty. Miss Lan Xin, I suspect the princess has already asked you about Physician Fang. Is there anyone in the surrounding area suffering from consumption?" Wu Ji shook his head and asked.

"Rest assured, general. The princess gave instructions earlier. But so far, we’ve only found three patients. Their families have agreed to let us bring them for treatment," Lan Xin replied with a smile. In truth, she had given their families a substantial sum, enough to improve their lives; even if the patients died, their families would not protest.

"Let’s send the one with milder symptoms first. There are many people seeking treatment now—arrange for someone to queue up and let me know when our turn is near," Wu Ji said.

The Princess Royal’s estate was divided into inner and outer courtyards. The inner courtyard housed only women: Lan Xin, her attendants and elderly maids, as well as fifty personal guards of the princess—all women, all second-rate martial experts.

Starting a few years ago, the Fei Feng Army began recruiting female soldiers from all over the country, including martial women from the jianghu, who eagerly joined the princess’s guard.

Now, the Fei Feng Army boasted a force of ten thousand female soldiers—Wu Qingluan’s personal guard, with the most loyal among them stationed at the princess’s residence.

The outer courtyard was guarded by three thousand elite Fei Feng soldiers, all drawn from the princess’s fief tenants. They were her most loyal household troops.

Within the Fei Feng Army, aside from the veteran officers, Wu Qingluan had cultivated and promoted young leaders in recent years, such as Wu Ji, Lan Xin, and Lan Xiang—her private soldiers, some even granted the surname Wu.

Not long after, Wu Ji received notice. He brought two subordinates to the First Medical Hall in the world, arriving just as it was their patient’s turn. Wu Ji followed them inside.

"Young master, this is General Wu Ji of the Fei Feng Army, and this patient is his friend," Zhou Bold introduced Wu Ji to Fang Xian.

"So you’re General Wu. Your friend’s consumption is not ordinary; the consultation fee won’t be cheap," Fang Xian remarked, sizing Wu Ji up as a first-rate expert, though only recently promoted, likely comparable to Da Niu.

"Does Physician Fang mean this illness can be treated?" Wu Ji was surprised; Fang Xian only mentioned the cost, not any inability to cure.

"This patient is in the early stages; treatment is not difficult. Come every three days for therapy and take the prescribed decoctions. In about ten days, he should recover," Fang Xian nodded.

"And if someone’s symptoms are more severe—can you cure them as well?" Wu Ji asked, a little excited.

"Are there many among your friends suffering from consumption, General Wu? Here, as long as the patient isn’t dead, there’s usually a way to treat them. Some can be cured entirely; others may only have their lives prolonged by a few years," Fang Xian replied, glancing at Wu Ji.

Wu Ji realized he was getting ahead of himself. Not wanting Fang Xian to know his true purpose, he shifted the topic. "Physician Fang, how much is the consultation fee for my friend?"

"Five thousand taels of silver. Medicine is provided free," Fang Xian said.

Wu Ji hesitated briefly, then produced the silver note and paid. Fang Xian examined the patient and treated him for the duration of a stick of incense, using acupuncture and mysterious energy massages, then prescribed three packets of medicine.

After the treatment, the patient felt noticeably relieved. He coughed violently, expelling thick phlegm and some black blood, but afterward felt much lighter.

"Such coughing and expectorating blood will continue for a while, but it doesn’t matter. Make sure he takes the medicine three times a day, and return in three days for a follow-up," Fang Xian instructed Wu Ji.

"Thank you, Physician Fang," Wu Ji saluted and reported everything to Princess Wu Qingluan upon returning.

"Arrange for another patient to go this afternoon, and send the most serious case tomorrow. Prepare extra silver. As long as Physician Fang can treat consumption, it doesn’t matter what it costs," Wu Qingluan ordered.

She had no intention of immediately summoning Fang Xian to the palace to treat the crown prince. Without absolute confidence, she would not act rashly, for even the chief imperial physician and numerous court doctors were helpless against the illness. Caution was paramount.

"Yes, Marshal." Wu Ji hesitated, then asked, "Marshal, I heard they challenged you at court today?"

"That’s right. Deputy Minister of War Li Shanghua, Deputy Minister of Personnel Tan Hangyu, Censor-in-Chief Liu Zhe, and Deputy Minister of Justice Wang Yuanlang petitioned His Majesty to strip me of my marshal’s rank, saying that as a royal princess, it’s improper for me to command troops, and that without reaching the Grandmaster level, I’m unqualified to hold the position," Wu Qingluan said coldly.

"What did His Majesty say?" Wu Ji was shocked. These men were all high-ranking officials, second or third grade, and each represented the interests of different princes.

"His Majesty would not be manipulated by them and rebuked them sharply, forbidding further discussion. But if time passes and I still fail to break through to Grandmaster, more important figures may stir up trouble, and His Majesty cannot ignore everyone's opinion forever," Wu Qingluan said, worried.

"But breaking through to Grandmaster is no easy feat. Marshal, you’ve been at the peak of first-rate mastery for three years—have you found any clues to advancement?" Wu Ji asked, frowning.

"I’ve sought advice from several Grandmasters and even sparred with some, but I have no idea how to break through. Perhaps it’s a matter of talent.

Never mind, let things take their course. Keep a close eye on Physician Fang’s affairs. Station more guards around him; I fear once word spreads, someone might wish him harm," Wu Qingluan said helplessly.