Chapter 6

In no time, Li Zhongyi picked up his brush and wrote swiftly, completing a well-known stone-expelling prescription that many old leaders had used and found effective.

Bupleurum, Scutellaria, Curcuma, Citrus aurantium, ginger, green tangerine peel, rhubarb, white peony, and Fructus Toosendan, each three grams; hawthorn, two grams; and coin grass, ten grams.

After writing the prescription, Li Zhongyi suddenly realized that the names of some medicines had changed over time. Therefore, he made another list, noting the historical names of each medicine.

After the guard ran out with the prescription, Li Zhongyi finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Although the previous owner of this body had become a bookworm, fortunately, his calligraphy was quite good; otherwise, Li Zhongyi would have had a lot of trouble.

With his superior ill, the subordinate naturally dared not be careless. The guard, who was clearly quick-witted, returned breathlessly with the medicine in about two hours, and even took the initiative to boil it.

Li Zhongyi took the bowl of medicine from the guard and held it to Huang Jingsheng's mouth, feeding him the decoction.

"Brother, please prepare a chamber pot," Li Zhongyi said with a smile, bowing to the guard.

The guard grinned and said, "Sir, you are too polite. I am called Wang Dahu. I am an illiterate brute, but you can command me as you wish."

That night, Huang Jingsheng was restless, needing to squat over the chamber pot one moment and feeling nauseous the next, causing Li Zhongyi and Wang Dahu a lot of trouble.

When the sky began to lighten, Huang Jingsheng finally fell into a deep sleep. Li Zhongyi took his pulse, which was steady and smooth, indicating that the medicine had worked and his gallbladder inflammation was under control.

If only there were acupuncture needles, Li Zhongyi thought, pouring a cup of cold water from the teapot and handing it to Wang Dahu.

"Sir..." Wang Dahu was taken aback, then understood and said gratefully, "Thank you, sir."

Li Zhongyi smiled and waved his hand, "This time, my brother's illness was thanks to you. When my brother recovers, I will certainly report it truthfully."

"Hehe, Huang Tou has always treated me well. I just ran some errands and didn't help much. It was all thanks to you, sir, that Huang Tou recovered," Wang Dahu said, even more moved. He didn't know much about grand principles, but he understood the small principle of returning kindness.

Li Zhongyi nodded inwardly. Some things, when said through Huang Qing's confidant, would be ten times more effective than if he said them himself.

"If there were acupuncture needles, my brother's condition would improve much faster," Li Zhongyi said, sipping water and smiling, testing Wang Dahu's reaction.

Wang Dahu seemed hesitant and did not respond immediately, deep in thought.

Li Zhongyi nodded inwardly. Wang Dahu, who appeared clumsy and rough, was actually quick-witted and thoughtful.

Wang Dahu must have been considering that the needles could not only be used for acupuncture but also for murder or suicide.

Li Zhongyi did not urge Wang Dahu. Such illegal and taboo matters should be decided by Wang Dahu himself; pressing him would be counterproductive.

"This prison is often inspected by superiors. I am worried they might be found," Wang Dahu finally hinted, unable to resist the temptation of being more favored and promoted by Huang Jingsheng.

Li Zhongyi understood Wang Dahu's unspoken hint. It meant that he must be present when Li Zhongyi needed the needles, and Li Zhongyi must immediately return them to Wang Dahu after use.

Indeed, it was a clever solution, achieving two goals at once!

As the old saying goes, one cannot judge a person by their appearance, nor measure the sea with a bushel!

Seeing Li Zhongyi nod in agreement, Wang Dahu was pleased and said, "Thank you, sir, for understanding my difficulties."

When the sky was bright, Wang Dahu went out for a while and returned with the needles after about an hour.

Li Zhongyi was a bit surprised and said with a smile, "Although I have only been here for a short time, I can see that Brother Dahu is well-respected in the prison." This was a roundabout way to draw him out.

Wang Dahu grinned, showing a simple smile, "All thanks to Huang Tou's authority. The brothers treat me kindly."

Li Zhongyi's eyes flickered. Wang Dahu's words were rich in information, which he took seriously.

As the saying goes, one must respect the Buddha even if one does not respect the monk, and one must consider the master even if one beats the dog!

Wang Dahu's ability to move freely in and out of the prison and even bring in prohibited items like needles showed that Huang Jingsheng's authority in the East Prison was not to be underestimated.

At lunchtime, the food box Wang Dahu brought still contained four dishes and a soup, but no wine.

The ancients believed in not talking during meals. After eating, Li Zhongyi took the needles from Wang Dahu and began to treat Huang Jingsheng.

Repeated acupuncture on the Rigu and Qimen points effectively relieved the pain caused by gallstones, as Li Zhongyi had verified many times in his previous life.

After drinking several bowls of decoction, Huang Jingsheng's condition had clearly improved, and he could sit up.

Li Zhongyi looked at the sky; the sun was already setting, and his mood grew heavier.

A whole day had passed, and there was still no news from the eunuch Huang Qing. It seemed the situation was not good.

Logically, Huang Qing should have reported to the emperor at dusk yesterday. If things went well, there should have been good news immediately. At the latest, it should not have exceeded this morning.

If Li Zhongyi was not mistaken, Emperor Meng Chang was so infatuated with Lady Huairui that he would do anything to keep her happy.

Even if Emperor Meng Chang was not anxious, Lady Huairui, fearing the loss of favor due to her skin condition, would certainly not ignore it.

What went wrong? Li Zhongyi, not being a god, could only methodically list and eliminate possibilities.

However, compared to when the family was first arrested, Li Zhongyi now knew that the enemy was Gao Xinhé, the Left Imperial Physician of the Imperial Pharmacy.

Knowing the enemy, Li Zhongyi could act with purpose, rather than blindly.

"Brother, if you had not come to my aid in time, I would have been taken by the King of Hell," Huang Jingsheng said, choking up. "The favor of saving my life, I will never forget."

Li Zhongyi had deliberately walked to the window to give Wang Dahu and Huang Jingsheng a chance to talk privately. Now, Huang Jingsheng's performance fully proved that Wang Dahu had said many good things about him.

"Brother, don't say that. I just have a bit of medical knowledge. It was a small effort, not worth mentioning," Li Zhongyi said, waving his hands and showing great humility.

Li Zhongyi deeply understood that the more significant the contribution to a leader, the more one must appear humble and cautious, never arrogant or disrespectful.

Huang Jingsheng, seeing Li Zhongyi's low profile, smiled in satisfaction. His brother not only knew how to treat illness but also how to behave and understand the art of giving and taking.

If the Li family could escape this disaster, Huang Jingsheng had high hopes for Li Zhongyi's future.

"I wonder if Chancellor Zhao knows about this?" Huang Jingsheng pondered for a long time, deliberately steering the conversation towards Zhao Tingyin.

Huang Jingsheng's timing was perfect. Even if he hadn't brought it up, Li Zhongyi had been planning to do so.

This was like finding a pillow when one is sleepy, perfectly timed!

Li Zhongyi did not immediately answer Huang Jingsheng's question. He carefully considered it before explaining, "To be honest, my father once saved the old patriarch of the Zhao family, who was already preparing for his funeral. However, I have no connection with the younger generation of the Zhao family."

Huang Jingsheng narrowed his eyes and thought deeply. He found that Li Zhongyi's words, though few, hit the mark, highlighting both the great favor Li Dahe had done for Zhao Tingyin and the lack of close ties between the two families.

"That makes sense. No wonder the Zhao family has not sent anyone to inquire about the Li family's misfortune," Huang Jingsheng nodded. A distant relationship was not a problem; as the saying goes, it's all about effort.

Huang Jingsheng had worked hard to ingratiate himself with Huang Qing, a distant relative, to achieve his current comfortable life.

If it were that easy to make connections, wouldn't everyone be officials, more numerous than mosquitoes by a pond in summer?

Huang Jingsheng smiled at Li Zhongyi, "Brother, if Chancellor Zhao knew about your family's misfortune..."

Li Zhongyi pretended to think for a moment before presenting his prepared response, "I believe that if the old patriarch of the Zhao family knew about this, there would be a great opportunity."

Huang Jingsheng blinked a few times, then slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Brilliant! Brother, you are indeed wise. Chancellor Zhao is busy with official duties and hard to reach, but the old patriarch is at home, enjoying his retirement and playing with his grandchildren."

Both being intelligent, Li Zhongyi's reminder made Huang Jingsheng understand his intention immediately.

"Brother, why don't we do this: you ask your father to write a letter, and I will personally deliver it to the Zhao family," Huang Jingsheng, not a man without ideas, made his decision and did not hesitate, knowing that the best way to do a favor was to see it through to the end.

Huang Jingsheng's suggestion was exactly what Li Zhongyi had planned.

However, at this moment of good fortune, Li Zhongyi frowned and looked at Huang Jingsheng, saying with concern, "How can I involve you in my family's affairs?"

"Ha ha, it's just a letter. Riches come with risks. How can one gain great benefits without taking risks?" Huang Jingsheng waved his hand and smiled, "Your affairs are my affairs."

Li Zhongyi smiled. Huang Jingsheng was clearly hinting that they should share the benefits in the future and not betray each other.

"Brother, if we achieve wealth, I will not forget it!" Li Zhongyi straightened his clothes and bowed deeply to Huang Jingsheng.

At this critical moment, Li Zhongyi did not make long promises, which made Huang Jingsheng feel more confident.

Huang Jingsheng laughed and said, "I will take you to see your father." He was eager to get out of bed.

Li Zhongyi quickly stopped him, saying, "Brother, you are still weak from your illness and need to rest. How can you move so easily?"

With such a major disaster at home, Li Zhongyi was still concerned about his brother's health, which made Huang Jingsheng's heart, which had been hanging, finally settle.

Only now, after Huang Jingsheng's step-by-step probing, did he get a satisfactory answer, and he laughed heartily, "Brother, you are truly a man of your word!"