Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1232 Seeking Medical Treatment in Chang'an: Lü Bu's Recovery

On the city tower of Hulao Pass, the lights remained lit all night. When Lü Bu was helped back to his inner chamber by his personal guards, the bloodstains on his armor had already congealed into a dark brown. Diao Chan, carrying Lü Lingqi, rushed forward. Seeing the large patch of blood seeping through the bandage wrapped around his left arm, her face instantly turned deathly pale, and her voice trembled: "Husband, you are so badly injured..."

"It's nothing." Lu Bu twitched the corner of his mouth, wanting to laugh but the movement aggravated his wound, causing him to gasp in pain. "It's just some superficial injury."

Zhang Liao had already prepared hot water and medicine for the wounds. Seeing Diao Chan in a flustered state, he quickly summoned the army physician: "Quickly treat Marquis Wen!"

The physician carefully cleaned the wound, sprinkled hemostatic powder on it, and wrapped it tightly with clean cloth strips, instructing, "Lord Wen has lost a lot of blood and needs to rest well. You must not get angry or overwork yourself."

The night passed peacefully. Diao Chan stayed by the bedside, tucking Lü Bu in from time to time, while Lü Lingqi lay on the edge of the bed, her little hands tightly gripping her father's sleeve, her sleep restless. Zhang Liao, having arranged defenses outside the pass, had some nourishing medicinal soup prepared and sent over. Seeing that Lü Bu's breathing was steady, he was somewhat relieved.

The next morning, just as Diao Chan was about to wake Lü Bu, she found his forehead burning hot, his lips cracked, and he didn't respond to her calls. She panicked and scrambled out of the room, crying, "General Wen Yuan! General Wen Yuan! My husband... he has a high fever!"

Upon hearing the news, Zhang Liao rushed over and touched Lü Bu's forehead. The burning temperature made his heart tighten, and he quickly summoned the physician. After taking Lü Bu's pulse, the physician frowned and said, "Lord Wen has aggravated old injuries. He had many old wounds from his early battles, and last night the new wounds flared up, and he also caught a cold, which caused the pathogenic fire to attack his heart, resulting in a high fever."

"Then hurry up and give us the medicine!" Zhang Liao said urgently.

The physician took out paper and pen and hurriedly wrote a prescription: "I'll prescribe a few doses of fever-reducing medicine to try first. Whether it can suppress the fever depends on Lord Wen's own fate." He handed the prescription to his personal guard, "Quickly, prepare the medicine according to the prescription, and send it over as soon as it's decocted!"

In his dazed state, Lü Bu heard Diao Chan crying. He struggled to open his eyes and saw his wife and daughter with tears streaming down their faces. Zhang Liao was also beside him, anxiously wringing his hands. He said in a hoarse voice, "Why are you crying... I'm not going to die..." He looked at Zhang Liao, a trace of guilt flashing in his eyes, "Wen Yuan, I owe you again. Back then... I treated you so badly, yet you saved me time and time again. I'm truly... ashamed to face my old friend."

“Fengxian, don’t say that,” Zhang Liao quickly said. “We’ve known each other for many years, why should we be so formal? The most important thing right now is to recover from your injuries.”

Diao Chan brought over the prepared medicine and carefully fed it to Lü Bu. But by the afternoon, Lü Bu's fever hadn't subsided; instead, it had worsened, and his breathing had become labored. Diao Chan was frantic, tears streaming down her face, and she tugged at the physician's sleeve, pleading, "Physician, please, you must save him!"

The physician was covered in sweat and shook his head repeatedly: "Madam, please forgive me, Marquis Wen's illness is dangerous, I... I really can't do anything about it."

"Didn't you graduate from medical school? Don't you have any other ideas?" Zhang Liao said in a deep voice.

Upon hearing this, the physician's eyes lit up: "If we can get Mr. Hua and Mr. Zhang from the medical school to help, they will surely be able to cure the disease!"

Diao Chan was taken aback: "Medical school? What kind of place is that?"

The physician immediately perked up, his tone tinged with pride: "The medical academy was established in Chang'an by my lord (Ma Chao)! Anyone who wants to learn medicine and is willing to improve, regardless of their background, can enter and study, personally taught by the divine physicians Hua Tuo and Zhang Ji!" He became more and more excited as he spoke, "My lord said, how many people can be saved by opening a medicine hut? By opening a medical academy and training ten or a hundred doctors, the people of the world will no longer have to worry about not having access to medical care!"

Even though Lü Bu was ill, he was stunned upon hearing this. He had spent half his life fighting and had witnessed the hardships of a chaotic world, but he had never imagined that anyone would go to such lengths for a "medicineman." Diao Chan was even more stunned, and looking at the physician's radiant face, a glimmer of hope suddenly arose in her heart.

Zhang Liao made a decisive decision: "There's no time to lose! Prepare the carriage! Send Fengxian to Chang'an immediately!" He looked at the physician, "You should come along too, so we can look after each other on the way."

"Yes!" the physician replied and left.

Lu Bu struggled to raise his hand and press down on Zhang Liao's arm, his voice hoarse: "Wen Yuan, if we don't go to Chang'an... I am at odds with your Liang King. Last time you released me without permission, I already suffered countless punishments. Now you've secretly saved me again. If the Liang King finds out, I will surely be severely punished again." He took a breath, his eyes filled with guilt, "I owe you too much, how can I implicate you again?"

As he spoke, he looked at Diao Chan and said weakly, "Diao Chan, pack your things, we...we're leaving here."

Diao Chan's eyes reddened, and she grasped his hand: "Husband, you're in this state, how can you leave? Staying gives you a chance to live!" Lü Lingqi also rushed to the bedside, tugging at Lü Bu's sleeve and crying: "Father, don't be so stubborn, listen to Uncle Zhang!"

Zhang Liao suddenly froze, then chuckled, "Fengxian, you're overthinking it." Seeing Lü Bu's confusion, he explained, "Last time I let you go, the King wanted to give me forty lashes. He stripped me of my armor and beat me on my old armor. Afterwards, he said my armor was badly damaged and rewarded me with this black iron armor..." He patted the gleaming armor on his chest, his voice tinged with pride, "This armor is impervious to swords and spears, ten times better than ordinary armor!"

Lu Bu was stunned, and murmured, "That King of Liang... actually has such a broad mind?"

Zhang Liao straightened his expression and said sincerely, "Fengxian, to tell you the truth, I, Zhang Liao, have wandered for half my life and have seen many heroes, but I have never seen such a magnanimous person." He paused and looked at Lü Bu, "If you are willing to stay and heal your wounds, the King will certainly not hold past grievances against you."

Lu Bu gazed at Zhang Liao's armor, then at Diao Chan's anxious eyes. His feverish, muddled mind gradually cleared. He realized that there truly were heroes in this world who could tolerate their rivals. He opened his mouth, but ultimately didn't mention leaving again, only whispering, "Wen Yuan... thank you."

Zhang Liao entrusted Lü Bu, Diao Chan, and their entourage to his trusted guards. He also wrote a letter in his own hand, stating that he had committed another serious crime and was willing to accept punishment. He then sent the letter and the group to Chang'an.

When the escorting party arrived in Chang'an, Ma Chao was reviewing documents in his residence. Upon seeing Zhang Liao's letter, a hint of surprise appeared on his face. He then replied to Zhang Liao with only one sentence: "Defend Luoyang well." He also ordered Lü Bu to be sent to the medical academy for treatment by Hua Tuo and Zhang Ji, and he never showed himself throughout the entire process.

The medical school grounds were quiet and elegant, filled with the aroma of medicine. Hua Tuo and Zhang Ji were indeed skilled physicians; in just two days, Lü Bu's high fever subsided; within six or seven days, the wound on his arm had scabbed over and was about to fall off, and even his long-standing injuries and ailments had been greatly relieved. Lü Bu moved his arm, feeling light and refreshed, and his gaze towards Diao Chan held a hint of relief at surviving a close call.

"Although the King of Liang did not show himself, he gave us a way out, and we must repay this kindness." Lu Bu looked out the window and said to Diao Chan, "We should thank Wen Yuan even more. If it weren't for him, I would probably be dead long ago."

Diao Chan nodded: "Yes, we should go and thank him, and we should also ask if Wen Yuan is alright."

The couple, accompanied by Lü Lingqi, personally arrived outside the Liang King's residence, presented their visiting cards, and requested an audience with Ma Chao. The guards outside the palace gates accepted the cards, turned and went inside to announce their arrival, leaving the couple to wait below the steps.

As the sun rose higher, the stone lions in front of the mansion gate gleamed coldly in the sunlight. Lü Bu stood there feeling somewhat heavy-hearted, pondering how to phrase his words, when he saw the guard hurriedly return, cupping his hands and saying, "Lord Wen, my king said, 'Since your injuries have healed, Lord Wen will not be allowed to stay any longer; you may leave on your own.'"

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Lü Bu's heart. He stood there stunned, only reacting after a long while. Ma Chao didn't want to see him, much less keep him.

Lu Bu had mentally rehearsed countless scenarios of his encounter with Ma Chao, imagining probing and suspicion in their words, or overt and covert attempts to recruit and win him over. He never expected Ma Chao to be so forthright. Ma Chao made no mention of recruitment, nor did he take precautions against the potential trouble Ma Chao might cause if he were to rise again; instead, he let Ma Chao leave on his own. This open-mindedness and magnanimity stirred a deep emotion within Lu Bu.

He composed himself and bowed to the guard again, saying, "Please go and inform him that Lü Bu knows that the King of Liang is busy with military affairs, but still earnestly requests to meet him, even if it is just for a moment."

Seeing his resolute attitude and unwavering stubbornness, the guard had no choice but to turn around and go inside to report again.

After a long sigh, a long sigh came from inside the hall, followed by Ma Chao's voice: "Let him in."

The guards stepped forward at the sound of their voices, gestured for Lü Bu to proceed, and then led the way. Lü Bu took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, and gestured for Diao Chan to lead Lü Lingqi to follow. The palace was majestic, its vermilion walls gleaming with a somber luster in the sunlight. The group wound their way through layers of halls and through corridors lined with pine and cypress trees, finally stopping before an elegant side hall.

"Lord Wen, the King is waiting inside." The guard bowed and withdrew.

Lu Bu composed himself and pushed open the door to enter. The room was simply furnished, with only a pot of tea on a table, steam rising gently. Looking up, he saw Ma Chao standing by the window, his plain brocade robe fluttering slightly in the breeze. He turned around when he saw them enter.

"Greetings, King Liang." Lü Bu was the first to bow, his tone filled with genuine gratitude. "Thank you, King Liang, for saving my life."

Diao Chan quickly pulled Lü Lingqi to bow, saying, "Greetings, Prince Liang." Lü Lingqi timidly hid behind Diao Chan, only revealing her eyes as she secretly observed this extraordinary "uncle," wondering why he could command such respect from her father.

Ma Chao waved his hand dismissively, his voice calm: "No need for formalities." He gestured for the seat in front of him, "Please sit down."

Lu Bu and Diao Chan sat down as instructed, with Lu Lingqi sitting next to her mother, her small hands tightly clutching Diao Chan's sleeve. Ma Chao personally poured tea for them; the tea was clear and fragrant.

"How is your injury recovering?" Ma Chao looked at Lü Bu, his tone calm but with a hint of concern.

Lu Bu bowed slightly: "Thanks to Your Majesty's blessing, I am now out of danger. However..." He paused, his gaze sincere, "If it weren't for Your Majesty's intervention, my family would likely already be..."

Ma Chao frowned slightly and interrupted, "Now that Marquis Wen's injuries are healed, he may leave. Why insist on seeing him again?"

Lu Bu abruptly stood up, his sleeves billowing as he cupped his hands in greeting. His voice was tinged with suppressed emotion: "Your Majesty is unaware of this. Over the years, people throughout the land have either revered my martial prowess or sought to win me over to serve them. Even those on the opposing side have to think twice before meeting me. But Your Majesty..." He paused, clenching his fist, "...and yet you remain so indifferent when facing me?"

After saying that, he suddenly let go, his knuckles turning white from the force, his eyes showing both confusion and a hint of undisguised frustration.