Chapter 77: A County Magistrate

Wei Xiangnan's villa was also located by the Seven Star Lake, facing Gu Mingzhu's residence across the lake, looking very grand.

A wooden platform was built by the lake, with a parasol erected on it. Tang Xiuquan held a thick book, sitting in a reclining chair, carefully reading it. Occasionally, he glanced at his grandson and granddaughter.

Tang Yingxin and Tang Haolun, the two little ones, sat on small stools, casting their fishing rods through the gaps in the platform's railing, pretending to fish.

Children don't have much patience. After a short while, they would lift their rods to check if the bait had fallen off or if a fish had bitten the hook without them noticing. As expected, after more than half an hour of effort, they hadn't caught a single fish. The two children started to doze off on their stools, complaining that fishing wasn't fun and that it wasn't as interesting as playing with Little Flower.

Little Flower was a speckled chicken that Tang Xiuquan raised in the courtyard of the retirement home. When the siblings were at the retirement home, they would always perk up their ears, and as soon as they heard Little Flower clucking, they would rush to the chicken coop to touch the eggs. Little Flower laid at least one egg a day, so they never went in vain, unlike fishing, where they had to lift the rod dozens of times without seeing a single fish.

As the two little ones were complaining, they saw Zeng Yi walking over from a distance. They immediately beamed with joy, abandoning their fishing rods and running over, calling out, "Uncle Zeng Yi, Uncle Zeng Yi!"

Zeng Yi chuckled, bent down, and the two little ones each grabbed his neck, one on each side, and both stretched out their little hands, asking, "Where are the plums you promised to bring us last time?" Since Zeng Yi had brought plums before, the two had developed a taste for them and always asked for plums whenever they saw him.

"Of course, they're in the box! Look at you, drooling already!" Zeng Yi laughed heartily, holding the two little ones and walking toward Tang Xiuquan.

"Xiao Yi, you came just in time. I have a question to ask you," Tang Xiuquan said, holding a thick book, which turned out to be the *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon). Since witnessing Zeng Yi's mysterious medical skills, Tang Xiuquan, in his free time, had started reading books on traditional Chinese medicine.

However, for a dynamics expert like him, the ancient text in the *Huangdi Neijing* was somewhat difficult to understand, unlike Zeng Yi, who had learned to read and write using the *Huangdi Neijing* and could still write very authentic traditional Chinese characters.

The two sat under the parasol, discussing the meanings of some ancient texts, and Zeng Yi explained some basic knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine to Tang Xiuquan.

At this moment, a black Audi with an out-of-town license plate slowly drove up to the villa. The car stopped, and before the driver could open the door, a man in his early thirties got out of the back seat.

Seeing Tang Xiuquan under the parasol, the man immediately smiled warmly and said, "Old Chief, I've come to visit you," and walked over quickly, his voice full of warmth.

Tang Xiuquan marked his place with a bookmark, closed the book, and sat there looking at the visitor.

"Old Chief, you look very well. As long as you are healthy, I am reassured!" The visitor stopped about a meter away from Tang Xiuquan, smiling but not getting too close or taking a seat.

Tang Xiuquan smiled slightly, pointed to an empty chair under the parasol, and said, "I'm just an old man, but it's nice to have you thinking of me. Come, sit down!"

"Thank you, Old Chief." The man thanked him and sat down, but only half of his body on the chair, showing some restraint and respect.

"This is..." The man looked at Zeng Yi. He knew Tang Xiuquan had a son, but he had never met him. He had heard that the son had married the daughter of a deputy commander of a major military region, but this young man seemed too young to be Tang Xiuquan's son. However, from a distance, he had observed that this young man had a very close relationship with Tang Xiuquan. Could he be a relative of Tang Xiuquan?

"I am Zeng Yi!" Zeng Yi smiled and extended his hand, "I haven't had the pleasure of..."

"Jiang Zhongyue, the 'Jiang' as in 'General.'" Jiang Zhongyue chuckled and quickly extended his hand, emphasizing his surname because it was relatively rare.

"Zeng Yi is my family member and also a highly skilled doctor!" Tang Xiuquan knew that Zeng Yi liked to be called a doctor, so he introduced him this way. He smiled at Zeng Yi and said, "County Magistrate Jiang is the magistrate of Nanyun County, and the retirement home where I live is built on his territory."

Jiang Zhongyue hurriedly waved his hands and said, "I dare not be called a magistrate. We are all here to serve the Old Chief. I don't know how long the Old Chief will stay in Rongcheng, but I brought some local specialties from Nanyun County when I came, so you can enjoy them while you're here."

Tang Xiuquan frowned, "I won't be staying for long. Bringing local specialties is too much trouble."

Jiang Zhongyue was overjoyed upon hearing this. He was afraid that Tang Xiuquan would stay in Rongcheng and not return to Nanyun County. In the military retirement home in Nanyun County, Tang Xiuquan was the most important figure, a prestigious member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and at the administrative level, he was equivalent to a vice-minister. Unlike other purely academic academicians, Tang Xiuquan was also a major general in the military and the deputy president of the Military Engineering Academy, with students spread across the country.

Whether in the military or in the local government, Tang Xiuquan had a significant influence and was a symbol of Nanyun County. If Tang Xiuquan left Nanyun County, Jiang Zhongyue would be unable to bear the responsibility.

"It's no trouble at all. As long as the Old Chief enjoys the food," Jiang Zhongyue looked at Zeng Yi, "Doctor Zeng, you must try our local specialties from Nanyun County. The taste is very authentic, and you will surely enjoy it."

Zeng Yi smiled, "Thank you very much, County Magistrate Jiang! As the ancients say, 'A gift from a thousand miles away, though small, carries deep affection.' I must try it out of respect for your kindness."

Jiang Zhongyue smiled, finding the young man's words very comforting. After all, what he had brought was a gesture of goodwill.

"County Magistrate Jiang, are you here on official business?" Tang Xiuquan asked.

Jiang Zhongyue looked at Tang Xiuquan and said, "I have some official business from the county and a bit of personal business." Then he looked at Zeng Yi and added, "Doctor Zeng, I might need to trouble you as well."

Zeng Yi was taken aback. What was this about? Could it be related to the health base location? These people were really well-informed and relentless, chasing him even to Xiang Weiguo's home.

"It's like this. I had a child in my middle age, and he is my only treasure. He just turned one year old. Recently, he suddenly stopped eating and drinking, and has been drowsy all day, gradually losing weight. I came to Rongcheng to find a skilled doctor. Does Doctor Zeng know any experts in this field?"

Jiang Zhongyue looked at Zeng Yi with hope, but he didn't have much confidence. He had only heard Tang Xiuquan's introduction and had the idea of building a relationship, but he didn't really believe in this young doctor.

"Finding Zeng Yi is like finding the right doctor. Why look for other experts?" Tang Xiuquan was very displeased. Asking Zeng Yi about other experts was outrageous. He said, "A child's health is more important than anything. Please have Zeng Yi examine your child carefully."

Jiang Zhongyue, hearing this, dared not show any doubt, and said repeatedly, "I have had such good luck today, seeing the Old Chief and meeting a renowned doctor. I will trouble Doctor Zeng!"

"Rest assured and focus on your official business. Leave your child's health to Zeng Yi. No matter how difficult the illness, he will surely cure it!" Tang Xiuquan added.

Jiang Zhongyue, hearing this, no longer dared to underestimate Zeng Yi. Tang Xiuquan was a significant figure, and for him to praise someone so highly, this young doctor must have exceptional skills. He put on a relaxed demeanor and said, "Old Chief, I am completely reassured. Doctor Zeng, I entrust my son's health to you. Thank you in advance."

Zeng Yi, hearing that it was about treating an illness, felt relieved. As long as it wasn't about the health base, he was willing to help. He said, "Treating patients is my duty. There's no need to thank me. I will go with you shortly."

Jiang Zhongyue continued to express his gratitude, "Thank you so much, Doctor Zeng. You are truly a kind-hearted and dedicated doctor."

Tang Xiuquan checked the time and said, "You've come from far away, so stay for a simple meal. I had already invited Zeng Yi to have dinner at my place. After the meal, I will have him go with you."

Jiang Zhongyue was overjoyed. Today's visit had been very fruitful. Being invited to dine with Tang Xiuquan was no small matter.

Tang Xiuquan picked up the *Huangdi Neijing* and led his grandchildren into the house.

Jiang Zhongyue hurriedly followed. At the door, he and the driver unloaded the car, which contained live animals—two brightly feathered wild pheasants that were flapping on the ground, attracting Tang Yingxin