Chapter 41

As one of Liu Yao's major generals, Huang Zhong's residence was naturally not inferior. Liu Yao had built many large mansions outside the state governor's residence early on, specifically to be given to his major generals to live in.

Huang Zhong's residence was the first one to the left of Liu Yao's state governor's residence. The two quickly arrived at the place.

As soon as they reached the door, they found that the gate of Huang Zhong's residence was not closed, and inside, Huang Zhong was pacing back and forth anxiously.

"Han Sheng, I'm sorry, I woke up late today," Liu Yao said apologetically.

"Lord, Doctor Hua, you have finally come," Liu Yao exclaimed in surprise when he saw Liu Yao and Hua Tuo. He had been waiting for them anxiously, but he didn't dare to disturb Liu Yao directly, which made him very frustrated.

Liu Yao said, "Alright, Han Sheng, let's have Doctor Hua examine Huang Xu quickly."

"Yes, Lord, Doctor Hua, please come in," Huang Zhong said anxiously, leading the two into the house.

The two followed Huang Zhong into the inner hall. They saw Huang Xu sitting on a chair, and Lady Huang was feeding him medicine. Huang Xu had grown into a teenager of about fifteen or sixteen years old. However, due to long-term illness, he looked about the same age as Liu Yao. Over the years, with the help of the prescription from the imperial physician, Huang Xu's health had improved significantly. He could now sit up and didn't cough as severely as before.

When Huang Xu and Lady Huang saw Liu Yao, they hurriedly bowed, "Greetings, Lord."

Liu Yao quickly helped Huang Xu up, "Huang Xu, your health is not good, you don't need to bow so deeply. Take care of yourself."

"Thank you, Lord," Huang Xu said gratefully. Liu Yao was not only his savior but had also visited him from time to time over the years. Huang Xu had always hoped to recover and contribute to Liu Yao's cause in the future.

"Doctor Hua, please examine him," Liu Yao said.

Hua Tuo nodded, stepped forward, and began to take Huang Xu's pulse. Time passed slowly as the three of them waited anxiously.

Finally, Hua Tuo withdrew his hand. Huang Zhong asked anxiously, "Doctor Hua, how is my son? Is there any hope?"

Hua Tuo stroked his beard and said slowly, "Your son's condition is very serious. It is due to a congenital deficiency from childhood, compounded by frequent colds as he grew up. He was not expected to live past fifteen." Hua Tuo paused and continued, "However, it seems that your son has been taking some medicine for a long time, which has sustained his life and improved his health. I wonder if you still have the prescription and if you can show it to me."

Huang Zhong quickly took out the prescription from the imperial physician from his pocket and handed it to Hua Tuo, "Doctor Hua, please take a look."

Hua Tuo slowly examined it, occasionally exclaiming, "I see, there are so many precious herbs in this prescription. No wonder your son's health has not deteriorated but has improved. This makes things easier. With such a solid foundation of precious herbs, I don't have to worry about using strong medicine that might be too much for your son. Rest assured, General Huang, I will definitely return a healthy son to you within seven days."

"Really?!!!" Huang Zhong exclaimed in surprise. "Thank you, Doctor Hua."

"Ha ha, it's just a small effort on my part. You should thank the person who provided the prescription and the herbs. Otherwise, your son might not have been able to wait for me," Hua Tuo said with a smile.

Huang Zhong immediately knelt down before Liu Yao and said gratefully, "Thank you, Lord. If it weren't for the herbs you provided for my son, he would probably not be here anymore."

"Han Sheng, you're at it again. I've already said you don't need to be so formal," Liu Yao helped Huang Zhong up, saying discontentedly, "If you really want to thank me, help me kill more enemies on the battlefield and achieve more merits. That would be the best way to thank me."

"Lord, I am already your man. I will do my utmost to repay your great kindness," Huang Zhong said emotionally.

"Father, Lord, cough, when I recover, I also want to go to the battlefield, cough, to repay Lord's kindness," Huang Xu said firmly from the side.

Liu Yao laughed heartily, "Ha ha ha, Huang Xu, when you recover, I will definitely give you the chance to fight on the battlefield like your father." Huang Zhong looked at his son with great satisfaction, his eyes filled with kindness.

Over the next seven days, Hua Tuo began to treat Huang Xu. Huang Xu endured a difficult time, spending two hours each day soaking in a large tub of hot water filled with various herbs that were beneficial to him. This was just the beginning. He also endured cupping, acupuncture, and taking medicine. Despite being only about fifteen or sixteen years old, Huang Xu managed to endure it, which greatly impressed Liu Yao and the others. Of course, the main reason was the foundation laid by the precious herbs, as well as Huang Xu's firm belief in repaying Liu Yao.

The seven days passed quickly. Huang Xu's entire treatment was complete, and he only needed to rest for a while to fully recover.

With Huang Xu's issue resolved, Hua Tuo had no reason to stay and bid farewell to Liu Yao.

When Liu Yao saw that Hua Tuo wanted to leave, he was unwilling to let him go. He quickly said, "Doctor Hua, we have become good friends. You are not young anymore, and you can't keep traveling for many more years. Why don't you stay in Youzhou? I, Liu Yao, will not treat you poorly."

Hua Tuo was deeply moved. Doctors were not highly regarded in the Han Dynasty, but Liu Yao treated him with such respect and invited him to stay. Hua Tuo was in a dilemma.

But in the end, Hua Tuo bit his lip and said, "I thank you for your kindness, Lord. However, I have had a lifelong ambition to treat the poor and sick throughout the world. If I stay in Youzhou for a long time, it might go against my vow."

Liu Yao's heart leaped with joy, knowing he had a chance. He quickly persuaded him, "Doctor Hua, you can only treat a few people by yourself. The Han Dynasty has millions of people. How many can you save alone? Besides, treating people and giving them medicine costs money. How much money do you have to help so many people? You can't keep going up the mountain to gather herbs every day."

"Um..." Hua Tuo was stumped by Liu Yao's words but still said, "I only seek to be at peace with my conscience. I will save as many people as I can."

Liu Yao smiled, "Doctor Hua, if I have a way to make everyone in the world able to afford medical treatment and medicine, would you be willing to help?"

Everyone has emotions and desires, and thus everyone has their weaknesses or preferences. If you can appeal to their preferences, it won't be so difficult to win them over.

Sure enough, Hua Tuo's eyes lit up with excitement, "Is what you say true? Is there really such a way?"

"Indeed!" Liu Yao nodded, "But I need your help. I need you to stay in Youzhou. Will you help me, Doctor Hua?"

Hua Tuo said without hesitation, "If you really have such a good method, I will do my best to help." For Hua Tuo, as long as he could treat the people and fulfill his wish, where he was did not matter so much.