Chapter Fourteen: Chang Chao

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“A doctor just came by and said there’s blood stasis in the chest. If possible, it would be good to prescribe some medicine to resolve the blood stasis and stop the bleeding,” Master Tong said as he followed inside. Perhaps doubting Jia Ping’an’s age and abilities, he had already explained the situation beforehand.

“Blood stasis?” Jia Ping’an wasn’t really skilled in medicine; he relied solely on the miraculous spring water. Now that someone else had described the condition, it was even better.

He stepped forward and pretended to take the pulse for a moment, then calmly said, “Indeed, there is internal blood stasis. It seems he’s quite fortunate—my family happens to have an ancestral remedy for this ailment. It’s a cure that works immediately.”

“A cure that works immediately?” Master Tong looked utterly incredulous.

A physician’s role is to treat illness. At best, a skilled doctor specializes in certain areas; the claim of a cure that works instantly was something Master Tong had only ever read about in books. In real life, such a thing was unheard of.

In ancient times, people’s lifespans were generally short, largely due to the underdevelopment of medicine.

Traditional Chinese medicine is good and has fewer side effects, but it also has drawbacks, such as slow efficacy. This made it feel helpless against acute illnesses.

As the old saying goes, “An injury to tendons or bones takes a hundred days to heal.”

For severe external injuries, it was normal to be bedridden for months. Yet here stood a young man claiming an instant cure?

Previously, Master Tong had doubts about Jia Ping’an’s age, which was understandable, so he was willing to give it a try.

Now, after hearing Jia Ping’an’s words, his disbelief only deepened.

“Heh, you must know the saying ‘hearing is false, seeing is true,’ right?” Noticing the doubt in Master Tong’s eyes, Jia Ping’an offered no further explanation. With some, he needed to conceal his true abilities—circumstances demanded it.

But with others, a display of commanding presence was necessary. Without it, how could he dominate the situation and compel obedience?

Jia Ping’an decided to show a trick or two. At this moment, he felt no hesitation—he stood before them with supreme confidence and composure.

“Bring a bowl.”

While Master Tong was still pondering the meaning of ‘seeing is believing,’ Jia Ping’an had already spoken.

“Oh.” Completely led by the pace, Master Tong agreed and turned to fetch a bowl.

Seizing this moment, Jia Ping’an subtly produced a dark brown pill in his palm.

About the size of an adult’s fingernail, it had been made the day before at the general’s residence using leftover medicine.

It had no real medicinal effect—eating it wouldn’t harm or benefit anyone. It was simply a universal-looking remedy. The real secret weapon was the spring water mixed inside the water pouch; the pill was merely for show.

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While Master Tong fetched the bowl, Jia Ping’an swapped the water pouch on his person. The previous one contained one percent spring water; the new one had ten percent, which was more effective. Mainly, Jia Ping’an feared that if he failed to cure the illness, he would ruin his own reputation, making it even harder to gain trust in the future.

Everything was prepared. Master Tong returned with a bowl containing some clear water.

“This water is too dirty, change it.” After a brief glance, Jia Ping’an took the bowl and poured out the water. Then, naturally, he poured fresh water from the pouch into the bowl.

“Why is it dirty... Is this your ancestral pill?” Master Tong was struggling to keep up with Jia Ping’an’s rhythm, his focus entirely on the pill.

“Good eye.” Jia Ping’an nodded silently, then stepped forward and gently pried open Tong Gui’s mouth, placing the pill inside. The pill dissolved quickly in the water.

Having served high-ranking officials during illnesses before, Jia Da-mi was quite skilled in this procedure. Once finished, Jia Ping’an turned to Master Tong and said, “He will wake up soon. I heard your house was robbed. What will you do next?”

At mention of the future, Master Tong’s face flushed again. He didn’t know why, but when facing Jia Ping’an, who was nearly half his age, he always felt suppressed.

“I’ll borrow from neighbors and tighten the belt. Hopefully, we can survive the harsh winter.” Without money, there was no confidence. Master Tong spoke with no assurance.

“Survive? You can, but can the patient?” Jia Ping’an was clearly dissatisfied with this answer and raised his voice slightly.

“Ah? Well...” Master Tong was caught off guard and unsure how to respond.

In fact, Jia Ping’an didn’t expect an answer. His question was meant to assert dominance, to make Master Tong deeply realize how much help he was offering, leaving a lasting impression.

Knowing too much or too little is harmful, Jia Ping’an then reached into his pocket and pulled out two silver ingots totaling ten taels, placing them in Master Tong’s hand. “Take these. Winter is harsh. Your neighbors are not wealthy either—it must be hard for you and them. With this, you can get through the winter.”

“Ah... I cannot accept this. A gentleman does not accept charity.” Despite lacking money, Master Tong still upheld the scholar’s dignity and instinctively refused.

“Who said this is charity? If I need you in the future, consider this an advance payment.” Jia Ping’an bluntly interrupted, then dropped the silver and left without another word, saying, “I’ll come again.”

Scholars often have thin skin, which explains their many hardships.

Of course, those high-ranking, shameless scholars do not count.

In his previous life, Jia Ping’an dealt often with so-called experts and professors, knowing well that the more capable a person is, the more disciplined and miserable their life tends to be. Conversely, the unscrupulous and opportunistic live comfortably on paid favors.

People at the Talent Tavern said Master Tong was a former top scholar of the Xuan Kingdom, yet he had fallen on hard times. Such a man must have integrity. Dealing with someone like him required decisiveness and the ability to make him accept you quickly—only then would you be remembered.

Jia Ping’an moved fast, dropping the silver and exiting the courtyard. Master Tong wanted to follow but was interrupted by Tong Gui, who had been lying in bed motionless for half a day and suddenly made a sound.

“You’re awake. How do you feel?” Tong Gui had indeed woken, looking much better. Master Tong was astonished, silently wondering, “Is this really a cure that works immediately?”

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After leaving the Tong residence, Jia Ping’an saw the boy beggar still waiting outside.

“Why are you still here?” Jia Ping’an’s tone cooled.

He had given the boy ten copper coins to buy some food earlier, enough to fill his stomach. It was a small sum; the boy only led the way, nothing more. Why linger now? Was he trying to extort money?

If that was the intention, Jia Ping’an was ready to show him the consequences of crossing him.

He was now the life-saving benefactor of the mother of the Ninguta general. Even just asking Ren Qinghu for help would easily handle a mere beggar.

“Master, I want to follow you.” Upon seeing Jia Ping’an again, the boy knelt with a thud.

This gesture made Jia Ping’an flinch slightly; deep down, he disliked people kneeling so readily. Usually, it meant real trouble or someone trying to cause problems. Not knowing the boy’s intentions, he withheld judgment.

Noticing Jia Ping’an’s reaction, the boy realized his act might be abrupt but felt he had no other choice. After recognizing Jia Ping’an’s uniqueness, he saw this as his opportunity.

His father often told him, “In life, what you do isn’t as important as whom you follow.”

Follow the right person, and even mistakes might lead to success. To the boy, Jia Ping’an was that right person.

Why? It was just a feeling. Plus, when others avoided Master Tong in trouble, Jia Ping’an, a stranger, had taken the initiative to help. Regardless of what he had done, his fearless nature showed he was not simple.

Since his father died of illness two years ago after being exiled to Ninguta for misconduct, the boy and his sister had been alone. Despite his efforts, his youth and questionable background meant no one would employ him. Now, meeting a peer like Jia Ping’an, he hoped his sincerity might win favor.

“Master, my name is Chang Chao. I live with my sister. My father was Chang Yingzheng, formerly an official in the Ministry of Revenue, but was exiled to Ninguta for wrongdoing and died of illness two years ago. I’ve roamed the streets and alleys of Ninguta and know it well. If you have any orders, just say the word.”

He knelt and briefly introduced himself, then looked up at Jia Ping’an with hopeful eyes.

Though young and unwanted by employers, with a sister to support, Chang Chao sought the right opportunity. To him, Jia Ping’an was that hope.

Though dressed like a beggar, Chang Chao was different—he had keen, observant eyes.