Chapter 56: Astonishing Medicinal Effects

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“Count Kaiyang, what are you worried about? If alcohol were a miracle cure, it would be a blessing for our Great Jing Dynasty,” Li Qingyao said calmly.

“Besides, win or lose, you have many sons at risk of dying. You would only lose one son,” she added.

Count Kaiyang was so furious he was at a loss for words.

How was the Princess Royal’s tone so sharp today?

Yet Li Qingyao silently reminded herself that even if Qin Hao truly lost, given his achievements in relocating the southern people of Qin northward, he could at least redeem himself.

As for the good-for-nothing Qin Kaizhi, there was probably nothing that could save him.

With that thought, she focused on assisting the military doctors in treating the patients.

At the very least, she had to ensure that the brilliant stratagems Qin Hao gave her would be successfully implemented.

Meanwhile,

inside the prison,

Qin Hao and two companions were feasting and drinking to their heart’s content.

They were passing cups around merrily, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Originally, the three hadn’t planned on drinking.

But unexpectedly, Ma Yingze, like Qin Hao, had secretly brought fine wine tucked away in his clothing.

However, Ma Yingze’s drink was called Hero’s Blood.

This made the three utterly joyous.

The entire cell was filled with the aroma of wine.

Other prisoners were envious, each complaining that the prison chief was cozying up to the powerful and disregarding the code of honor.

Qin Kaizhi and Zhang Yi had recovered somewhat.

They also wanted some food but had no money to buy any.

Prison regulations allowed prisoners without formal convictions to purchase food at their own expense.

But Qin Kaizhi and Zhang Yi came out this time without any money.

They could only watch longingly as Qin Hao and the others ate and drank well.

After downing a cup of Hero’s Blood, Ma Yingze scratched his head and asked, “Old Qin, since we brewed this wine illicitly, aren’t we stuck here now?”

“At the time, I didn’t pay much attention to that so-called Prohibition Order. Now that I think about it, it seems pretty serious,” Qin Hao said, suddenly stunned, glancing oddly at Ma Yingze. “You didn’t know how terrifying the Prohibition Order is and still brewed wine with me?”

Ma Yingze, drunk and laughing, said, “What’s there to fear? You brewed wine with us and even made money. Why should I be afraid?”

“Besides, at home, I’m just an unwelcome prodigal.”

“Full of fighting skills but always called brainless by my grandfather. If I can leave some money for my family before I die, that wouldn’t be so bad.”

Qin Hao felt a pang of sadness at his words.

Ma Yingze, who seemed carefree on the surface, was actually weighed down by many thoughts.

Qin Hao said nothing and turned to Zhao Guangnian who was also deep in thought. “Old Zhao, what about you?”

Zhao Guangnian smiled, “Similar to Ma Yingze, but I’m a bit smarter.”

“I thought, since you have the Princess Royal’s backing, that means the royal family supports you. I figured you must have a backup plan.”

Qin Hao gave a thumbs-up. “Smart. Don’t worry; it won’t be long before I get us all out of here!”

“Hahaha, Qin Hao, keep dreaming! You still want to get out?”

“The four great families have joined forces. Even the Princess Royal can’t save you!” mocked Qin Kaizhi from the opposite cell, his sneering laugh dripping with scorn.

Zhang Yi shouted arrogantly, “Qin Hao, if you dare lay a hand on us, you won’t walk out alive!”

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As the number one talent of the Zhang family, Zhang Yi had never been beaten like this before.

Half his face was swollen.

“Stop talking nonsense. If you say another word, I’ll beat you again!” Ma Yingze stood up angrily and cursed at Qin Kaizhi and his companion in the opposite cage.

Qin Kaizhi was intimidated by Ma Yingze’s fierce aura and stepped back.

Then, reddening his face, he retorted, “Come on, try it! You’re still in prison yourself. What are you shouting for?”

“If you have the guts, come hit me and see if I’m scared!”

“Prison chief, I want to be moved to the opposite cell!” Ma Yingze slammed on the cell door, shouting loudly.

The prison chief approached apologetically. “Young masters, please don’t trouble me any further.”

Qin Hao smiled and told the chief to leave, then pulled Ma Yingze back as they started walking away.

“Come on, if you have the guts, try to hit me!”

Qin Kaizhi took advantage of the moment and kept jeering, his voice making everyone angrier.

Qin Hao looked at the furious Ma Yingze, narrowed his eyes slightly, and glanced at the cell lock.

Without a word, he reached for a leather water bag.

The bag was decorated with various ornaments, including a tooth carving.

Qin Hao compared the curvature, closed his eyes, and pondered briefly, then gently rubbed the metal part of the water bag against the tooth carving.

He fiddled with the carving while sipping wine, as if nothing was happening.

But Qin Kaizhi and Zhang Yi, seeing Qin Hao’s three companions seemingly helpless, felt immense satisfaction.

They held the thought that if they couldn’t enjoy good food, neither would Qin Hao and the others, and continued verbally tormenting them.

Soon,

Ma Yingze was so angry he could barely drink.

Qin Hao looked at the tooth carving whose shape had emerged from his rubbing, then stood up and said, “Let’s go, fight!”

Ma Yingze and Zhao Guangnian immediately stood.

They still had to face the obstacle of the prison door.

But they trusted that since Qin Hao said so, he had a plan.

“What? If you have the guts, come fight me!” Qin Kaizhi, triumphant like a victorious general, laughed and cursed.

Qin Hao wasted no words.

He blew off the powder residue on the tooth carving and aimed its pointed end at the lock.

Qin Kaizhi and Zhang Yi froze, all harboring terrible thoughts.

“Click!”

After a couple of tries, the lock opened.

Qin Hao and his two companions stood side by side before Qin Kaizhi’s cell.

Qin Kaizhi and Zhang Yi were terrified and quickly backed away, as if witnessing something unbelievable.

This was the cell’s lock—they’d never imagined it could be opened so easily.

Just as they were about to call for help, Qin Hao had already unlocked their cell.

Ma Yingze was the first to rush in!

“Ah!!!”

A piercing scream echoed through the prison once again.

Qin Kaizhi and Zhang Yi could never have imagined that after being locked up, they would still be beaten.

Their screams soon drew the prison chief and guards.

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…

Three hours later.

Inside the imperial palace.

The military doctors looked at the alcohol with eyes full of frenzy.

Ten severely wounded patients, after being cleansed with alcohol, had their ulcers no longer recurring.

One patient’s ulcer hadn’t flared up for more than an hour, and the wound had formed a transparent scab.

Another patient with a fever, after cleansing the ulcer, was no longer feverish.

For the military doctors who had already given up on these patients, it was like witnessing a miracle.

Duke Zheng and Duke Yi trembled upon hearing the report.

Ulcers really could be suppressed by alcohol.

Having fought countless battles, they knew better than anyone how terrifying recurring ulcers were—no medicine could suppress them, and death was almost certain!

Others showed no overt reaction but their eyes were filled with shock.

Duke Yang and Count Kaiyang, the father-in-law and son-in-law, looked increasingly uneasy.

At this moment,

to verify whether the patients had a chance to recover,

Emperor Xuande summoned the head of the Imperial Medical Institute, Duan Qingyuan.

Soon, a man over fifty, sturdy in step, hurried to the Imperial Study.

Hearing there was a way to suppress ulcers, he left his meal unfinished and came immediately.

“Your Majesty, this humble minister pays respects,” Duan Qingyuan bowed deeply.

Without waiting for the emperor to speak, he went straight to examine the patients.

Emperor Xuande said nothing, tacitly allowing Duan Qingyuan’s conduct.

This was because Duan Qingyuan was a medical fanatic with a pure heart.

Originally, he had been enticed to join the palace as a chief physician with the promise of open access to all royal medical texts.

After taking the pulse and inquiring about the conditions, Duan Qingyuan concluded:

“Your Majesty, among the ten patients,

“the two still running a fever have the lowest chance of survival.

“Among the rest, three have great hope of recovery as long as the ulcers do not recur.

“The final five have no major issues and, with normal medication, can survive.”

Everyone was stunned, mouths agape.

At the time the ten were brought in, they were almost beyond help.

Only three hours had passed, and now five could live.

This was no longer a thirty percent survival chance—it was fifty percent!

What an astonishing efficacy!

Duke Yi knelt to the ground, tears streaming, and said, “Your Majesty, heaven blesses our Great Jing! With such a divine medicine, our brave sons need no longer fear ulcers.”

Then he hastily bowed deeply to Emperor Xuande. “Your Majesty, Qin Hao created this miracle cure and merits great reward. I beseech Your Majesty to honor Qin Hao richly!”

Duke Zheng also knelt, moved to tears. “Your Majesty, Qin Hao is innocent! Qin Hao is innocent! I implore Your Majesty to reward Qin Hao generously.”