Two days had passed since General Cao and his entourage set out from Dongguan Town, the journey swift but filled with unease. As they approached the capital, the towering city walls of Shuihua, the capital of Lianhua, came into view. The walls stood tall and formidable, a testament to the city's long history and strength. They were made of weathered stone, covered in creeping ivy, but their strength was unmistakable. The ancient walls, once a symbol of the kingdom's pride, now felt more like a barrier, a reminder of the looming disaster that had gripped the city.
As they drew closer, Zhang Wei and Pan Qiang couldn't help but notice the soldiers stationed at regular intervals, their armor gleaming under the midday sun. Each soldier was fully armed, from their polished helmets to the gleaming swords at their sides, standing at attention with unwavering focus. The streets leading to the gates were empty, save for the occasional patrol of soldiers marching in formation. The usual hustle and bustle of the city seemed absent, replaced by a heavy stillness that hung in the air.
Pan Qiang whispered, his eyes wide, "It feels different… so quiet. It's like the whole city's holding its breath."
Zhang Wei nodded, feeling the weight of the atmosphere. Even the usual chatter of merchants and travelers was missing, replaced only by the sound of armored boots on cobblestone roads. There was a sense of unease, a tense silence that stretched over the city like a thick fog.
As their group approached the main gates, the sight of the heavily fortified entryway stood as a stark contrast to the usual welcoming nature of the capital. The massive gates were closed tightly, with armed guards at every corner. The soldiers were alert, scanning the horizon as if expecting an attack at any moment.
As the group approached the gates of the capital, the soldiers standing guard didn't immediately recognize General Cao and his entourage. Tension was high, and the soldiers stood firm, blocking the way.
"Halt! No one is allowed to enter without permission," one of the guards called out, his voice stern.
Pan Qiang stepped forward, preparing to speak, but before he could respond, a voice rang out from behind the gates.
"Stand down," ordered a lieutenant, stepping forward and peering through the gate. His eyes widened in shock as he saw General Cao standing before him.
"General Cao Jinggou?" The lieutenant's voice faltered as he processed the sight in front of him. The general, who had been bedridden and weak just days ago, was now standing tall, appearing strong and vibrant. It was as if the sickness that once plagued him had never existed.
The guards, realizing their mistake, quickly stepped aside. The lieutenant's face flushed with embarrassment. He turned to reprimand his men.
"Fools! How dare you block General Cao's way! He's one of the kingdom's greatest heroes! Apologize immediately!"
The soldiers, now realizing their error, dropped to their knees, their heads bowed in deep apology. General Cao waved his hand with a slight smile.
"It's no matter," General Cao said, his voice calm. "We have no time to waste."
The lieutenant, still in awe of the transformation in General Cao, nodded vigorously. "Of course, General! I… I'm terribly sorry for the confusion." He quickly recovered and turned to lead them into the city. "Please, follow me. I'll take you to the Imperial City."
General Cao nodded and gestured for Zhang Wei, Pan Qiang, and Elder Fang to follow. As they made their way through the city, the once-vibrant streets were now eerily quiet. The usual hustle and bustle had been replaced by a tense, unsettling atmosphere. Soldiers marched in formation, and the city itself seemed to carry a weight of anxiety, the air thick with unease.
After a short walk, they arrived at the gates of the Imperial City. Inside, the Emperor sat at the head of a long table, surrounded by his advisors and the elders. The tension in the room was palpable as the elders and advisors argued among themselves, their voices growing louder with each passing minute.
"The situation is worsening by the hour," Elder Huang said, frustration evident in his voice. "We cannot afford to wait any longer!"
"We've tried everything," another advisor added, shaking his head. "There's no cure to this sickness."
The Emperor, sitting silently, listened intently. His face was drawn and weary, a clear reflection of the kingdom's dire circumstances.
Just as the argument was about to escalate, the doors to the chamber swung open. The lieutenant stepped inside, bowing low. "Your Majesty," he said, his voice carrying a note of urgency. "General Cao Jinggou has arrived."
The room fell silent, and all eyes turned toward the entrance. General Cao, standing strong and dignified, entered the room, followed by Zhang Wei, Pan Qiang, and Elder Fang. The room seemed to freeze as everyone took in the sight of General Cao, now looking so much more alive than the man they had last seen bedridden with poison.
The Emperor's eyes widened slightly as he recognized General Cao. "General Cao," the Emperor said, his voice soft with surprise. "You… you have recovered."
General Cao gave a respectful nod, his gaze turning to the gathered advisors and elders. "Your Majesty, I have returned to offer my assistance. This kingdom is in peril, and I believe we must act swiftly."
The advisors and elders exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of how to respond. The Emperor, however, met General Cao's gaze with renewed resolve. "What do you propose, General Cao?" he asked, his voice steady.
"I've come with a solution," General Cao said, looking toward Zhang Wei. "This man, Zhang Wei, was the one who cured me of the poison. I believe he has the skills to help us with the crisis at hand."
The room was still, the tension thick in the air as General Cao stood with his newfound strength, an aura of authority surrounding him. His appearance was markedly different from the frail man who had been bedridden just days ago. His recovery was nothing short of miraculous, and his calm presence commanded respect. Yet it was General Wu who broke the silence, his sharp eyes narrowing as he studied General Cao.
"General Cao," General Wu said, his voice laced with curiosity, "if we were not facing such a dire crisis, I would ask for a friendly sparring match to test the extent of your breakthrough. But alas, now is not the time." He gave a respectful nod, though the competitive gleam in his eyes remained.
General Cao's lips curled into a small smile, the fire of a warrior still alive within him. "There is a time for everything, General Wu," he replied with a calm demeanor, "and now is not that time. The kingdom needs us."
The conversation shifted as the room's attention moved to Zhang Wei, who stood quietly beside General Cao. Several advisors and elders, skeptical of the young herbalist, exchanged uneasy glances. One of the elders, an older man with a long white beard, was the first to speak, his voice dripping with disdain.
"How can we trust this young man to help us in a crisis?" the elder scoffed. "There are many experienced herbalists and healers here who have spent decades studying medicine, yet even they cannot decipher this disease. How can a boy, still with milk on his lips, offer us any real help?"
A few advisors nodded in agreement, murmuring their discontent with Zhang Wei's involvement. "It's foolish," one advisor muttered. "What could he possibly know that we do not?"
Zhang Wei's gaze sharpened, and his patience began to thin. He stepped forward, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "It seems," he said coolly, "that you all are quick to judge. Perhaps because of my age or my appearance, you assume I lack knowledge. But I would remind you that sometimes wisdom does not come with years alone."
His tone was biting, his words carrying weight as he looked directly at the elder who had spoken. "In fact, it's not age or experience that cures, but the willingness to learn, to adapt, and to think beyond what we already know."
The room fell silent, the weight of Zhang Wei's words hanging in the air. The Emperor, who had been quietly observing the exchange, raised his hand, calling for peace.
"Enough," the Emperor said, his voice calm but firm. "This is not the time for petty disputes. We are in the midst of a crisis. All hands must be willing to help, regardless of experience or age. If Zhang Wei can assist us in finding a solution, then he will do so."
Zhang Wei's sharp retort, though bold, seemed to settle the matter, and the elders and advisors fell silent, their expressions unreadable. General Cao glanced at Zhang Wei, a flicker of approval in his eyes, and then turned his attention back to the Emperor.
"We need to act quickly," General Cao said, his voice resolute. "There is no time for argument. The fate of the kingdom is at stake."
The Emperor led General Cao, Zhang Wei, and their companions through the grand corridors of the Imperial Palace, the air thick with tension and uncertainty. They finally arrived at a large, dimly lit chamber where the Prince of Hei'an lay in a large, ornate bed. The Prince was covered in layers of blankets, his ashen skin and blackened veins standing in stark contrast to the elegant surroundings. Around him stood a group of healers, doctors, alchemists, and even Grandmaster Wei Zhen, all of whom were hunched over, working tirelessly to understand the source of the plague that had gripped the capital.
The room was filled with a mix of murmurs, heated debates, and the occasional sound of herbs being ground or pots being stirred, but despite their efforts, the situation seemed hopeless.
The Emperor motioned for General Cao and his companions to step forward, and with a commanding voice, he addressed the assembly. "This is Zhang Wei," the Emperor the Emperor announced, his tone serious. "He is the one reffered by General Cao. Let him help."
A silence fell over the room as the group of elders and healers turned their eyes on Zhang Wei. Some whispered among themselves, while others openly sneered, clearly unimpressed by the young herbalist standing before them.
One of the older doctors, his face wrinkled and furrowed with age, scoffed and muttered under his breath, "This is no laughing matter, Emperor. This is not a playground for children to play healer. We are dealing with the lives of an entire kingdom here."
A few others nodded in agreement, their skepticism evident. "A young man with no experience cannot possibly help us. Look at the thousands who are suffering!" an alchemist chimed in, shaking his head.
Li Jiao, an elderly herbalist with long, graying hair and a face marked by years of experience, snorted in disbelief. "This is a serious matter, Your Majesty. Do you honestly expect this boy to solve a problem that none of us can? He's just a child, with no experience or wisdom to deal with a disease like this!" His voice was filled with disdain as he glared at Zhang Wei.
Xia Ling, a young herbalist who had recently gained recognition for her skills, couldn't hide her smirk. "Is this a joke, Your Majesty? How could a boy barely out of his youth offer anything of value? I've seen many herbalists and healers come and go, but none could solve this plague. What makes him think he's any different?"
Wei Zhen, the esteemed chief medical officer, folded his arms across his chest, his gaze cold. "A disease such as this requires the finest minds, the most seasoned hands. You're telling us to trust a novice with the fate of the kingdom?" He shook his head, clearly unimpressed by Zhang Wei's presence. "Impossible. This plague is beyond your grasp."
Master Liu, the renowned alchemist who had earned his reputation through decades of creating potent potions and remedies, scoffed at Zhang Wei. "I have been making potions since before you were born, child. Do you think a few herbs can cure something this terrible? This disease... it's beyond what any alchemist or healer can handle. How dare you waste the Emperor's time?"
The insults flew, and Zhang Wei stood still, unaffected by the barrage of doubts and criticisms being hurled at him. The Emperor's face tightened, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. He looked at Zhang Wei and then at the gathered experts, his patience wearing thin.
Zhang Wei's voice rang out clearly, cutting through the noise. "Your Majesty, please. Allow me to handle this. I've already cured General Cao of a venom that was considered impossible to treat. If there's even the slightest chance I can help, I will not back down."
The room went still again as everyone turned their eyes to Zhang Wei, his calm demeanor contrasting sharply with the heated arguments that had filled the air moments before. The Emperor's gaze softened, and he nodded in approval.
"I trust Zhang Wei," the Emperor said firmly. "Let him try. What choice do we have? The kingdom is on the brink, and I will not let doubt hinder our chances of survival."
The assembled healers, herbalists, and alchemists exchanged more uncertain glances. Even Wei Zhen and Master Liu were left without a rebuttal. Zhang Wei had the Emperor's backing, and they knew better than to oppose that.
Zhang Wei turned his gaze to the Prince of Hei'an, still lying motionless in the bed, his body ravaged by the unknown disease. "I'll need the space and time to work," Zhang Wei said, his tone no longer hesitant but confident. "Please step aside, all of you. I will do what I can."
Zhang Wei stood over the pale, trembling prince, who had been brought to the imperial palace where the most esteemed herbalists and doctors had gathered. The prince's body was covered with grotesque purple swellings—buboes—bulging beneath his arms and neck. The air was thick with the stench of decay and fever, a sight that immediately sent a chill down Zhang Wei's spine.
No… it can't be.
He took a step back, heart heavy with the grim realization. This was not just any common illness. He had read about this sickness in his world, this plague its history a nightmarish tale of death and devastation. The Black Death... Yersinia pestis. It had swept through the land in the Middle Ages, wiping out entire populations. And now, standing before him in a kingdom untouched by modern science, the same disease had arrived.
Zhang Wei muttered under his breath, his thoughts racing. "I need streptomycin… tetracycline…" But he knew that such medicine did not exist in this world.
Pan Qiang, noticing the change in Zhang Wei's demeanor, approached him cautiously. "Brother Zhang, do you recognize this illness?"
Zhang Wei exhaled slowly, nodding grimly. "I do," he said, voice low and steady despite the turmoil within him. "This is the Black Death, a plague that killed millions in my world. But here… I don't know what herbs exist that can replace the antibiotics I would need."
He turned toward General Cao, who was standing at his side, his face tense with worry. "I'll need time," Zhang Wei continued, locking eyes with the general. "I must find out which herbs in this world can mimic the medicines I need. If I fail... this kingdom will face a disaster like no other."
Zhang Wei's words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of his grim prediction. The room was silent for a moment, but that silence was soon broken by muttering from the gathered herbalists and doctors.
"Absurd," scoffed Li Jiao, the elderly herbalist with a long, white beard. "He speaks of medicine from his land, as if it could help here. This is nonsense!"
Xia Ling, a younger herbalist, shook her head in disbelief. "He's just a boy, what does he know about plagues and diseases? There's no cure for this, and certainly no cure from some strange foreign land!"
Master Liu, the renowned alchemist, crossed his arms. "You think you can just step in and offer a solution to something we have been studying for years? You can't even begin to understand the complexities of this disease."
The insults and mocking remarks were relentless, each one more dismissive than the last. Zhang Wei stood there, unfazed by their ridicule. But just as the noise of their scorn grew louder, a voice cut through it all.
"Enough."
Everyone turned to look at Grandmaster Wei Zhen, the chief medical officer, whose calm demeanor contrasted with the turmoil around him. He stood tall, his old hands clasped behind his back, eyes narrowing as he studied Zhang Wei.
"I've seen many herbalists and healers in my time, but I have never seen anyone with the conviction that this young man carries," Grandmaster Wei Zhen said, his voice firm. "I choose to trust him."
A stunned silence fell over the room. The herbalists, still frowning, exchanged confused glances, unsure of how to react. Zhang Wei, however, remained composed. The emperor's eyes shifted between the elders and the young healer, watching the scene unfold.
"Grandmaster, you can't possibly be serious," Li Jiao protested. "This boy is out of his depth! We have experts here, and yet he—"
"Do you wish to continue this debate, Li Jiao?" Grandmaster Wei Zhen interrupted. "Or would you prefer to act now and see if this young man can offer us a solution where all our efforts have failed?"
The elder's gaze was unwavering, and with his support, the room fell into a reluctant quiet. The emperor, sensing the tension, stepped forward.
"Let us give him a chance," the emperor said, his tone commanding. "The kingdom is at its brink. If he fails, then we will fall. But if he succeeds, we will have no choice but to trust in his knowledge."
Zhang Wei, still feeling the weight of his responsibility, bowed respectfully to the emperor. "I will do my best."
Zhang Wei took a deep breath and stepped forward, ready to explain. His mind was working quickly, pulling from his knowledge of the modern world. He could only hope that the herbs in this world had similar properties to the ones he had studied back home.
"The disease you are facing, the Black Death," Zhang Wei began, his voice steady but filled with urgency, "is caused by Yersinia pestis. In my world, we treat it with a combination of antibiotics, mainly streptomycin and tetracycline. These drugs kill the bacteria that cause the disease, but in this world, I do not have access to such medicines." He glanced around the room, seeing the skepticism in their eyes.
"But there must be herbs here that can mimic the effects of these drugs," Zhang Wei continued. "The herbs must have properties that can target the infection, reduce the fever, and stop the bacteria from spreading."
The room grew silent as the various herbalists and healers exchanged looks. Grandmaster Wei Zhen stepped forward, his expression thoughtful. "The boy speaks with conviction, and his knowledge is impressive, even if it's foreign to us. But we cannot act on his words without understanding the herbs he mentions."
Zhang Wei nodded, grateful for Grandmaster Wei Zhen's open-mindedness. "I will describe the effects of the drugs from my world. Perhaps if we understand them, we can find the right herbs here." He turned to the group, preparing himself.
"First, streptomycin and tetracycline are antibiotics. They kill the bacteria, stopping it from spreading in the body. But there are other herbs that have antibacterial effects as well—herbs that reduce fever and inflammation. For example, in my world, we use something called Echinacea, which boosts the immune system and helps fight infections."
Li Jiao, the elderly herbalist, crossed his arms and scoffed. "Echinacea? What nonsense. We do not have such herbs here. And even if we did, how could such a weak herb be compared to something as deadly as the Black Death?"
Zhang Wei didn't falter. "There are herbs here, ones that may not be as well-known, but could have similar properties. For example, the Ghostshade Root may be a close match to the properties of Echinacea. It's known for strengthening the body and promoting immunity."
Grandmaster Wei Zhen, listening carefully, stroked his chin. "Ghostshade Root, yes… it is an herb that many of us have used in the past for strengthening the body. Its properties seem to align with what this young man is describing."
Xia Ling, the young herbalist, furrowed her brow. "But how can it work like the antibiotic you speak of? We have no such thing as an 'antibiotic' here."
Zhang Wei smiled slightly. "No, you don't have antibiotics, but this root may have a similar effect in boosting the body's defenses, helping to fight the infection. The idea is to strengthen the body's immune response so it can fight off the bacteria on its own."
Li Jiao wasn't convinced. "And what of the fever and swelling? You mentioned those as symptoms."
Zhang Wei nodded. "The fever is the body's attempt to fight the infection, but it also causes damage. In my world, we use something called Tetracycline to fight bacterial infections. I believe the Frozen Marrow Leaf might help here. It has cooling properties, which could help reduce the fever and inflammation. It might not kill the bacteria directly, but it could keep the body from being overwhelmed by the fever."
Master Liu, the alchemist, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up. "The Frozen Marrow Leaf... I have used it in potions before to cool the body, but it does not kill bacteria. Are you certain this will work?"
Zhang Wei nodded, his expression serious. "It won't directly kill the bacteria, but it can stop the body from becoming too weak from the fever. Once the fever is under control, the immune system has a better chance of dealing with the infection."
Grandmaster Wei Zhen nodded thoughtfully, looking to the other masters. "This is intriguing. We have used the Frozen Marrow Leaf before for fevers, and the Ghostshade Root to strengthen the body's defenses. These herbs could play a role, but we still need to determine which ones will have the most direct effect on the infection itself."
"Indeed," said Li Jiao. "But what of the Crimson Serpent Grass? It has been used for centuries in treating poisons and infections. Could it not have a more direct effect on the bacteria, as this young man suggests?"
Xia Ling hesitated. "Perhaps it could. The Crimson Serpent Grass has strong properties and may work in tandem with the other herbs he mentions."
Zhang Wei looked at them with renewed hope. "Yes, if we can combine the right herbs ,those that strengthen the body, reduce fever, and fight the infection directly, we may be able to create a cure. But it will take time. I need to gather the herbs and prepare them correctly."
Grandmaster Wei Zhen looked at the emperor, who had been listening intently. "This is the best chance we have," he said. "We should give him the opportunity to try."
The emperor nodded, his voice firm. "Do what you must, Zhang Wei. I will trust you with the kingdom's fate."
Zhang Wei bowed deeply, determination in his eyes. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will not fail."
With that, the room was filled with the sound of murmurs as the herbalists and alchemists began discussing which herbs to prepare. Zhang Wei stood, ready to work, his mind racing to match the modern knowledge with the herbs of this world, hoping that he could create the cure that would save the kingdom.