Three Kingdoms: Domination of the World

On a December night, a light mist still hung over the southern outskirts. A chill crept through the crisp air. In this silent wilderness, a lone figure huddled by a campfire.

The bonfire flickered in the cold wind, its faint flames illuminating the man's face. Suo Chao's eyes revealed a hint of fatigue and confusion. The surrounding trees swayed gently in the morning breeze, rustling as if whispering something. The mountains in the distance loomed in the morning light, giving people a sense of mystery and remoteness.

The next morning, sunlight streamed into the woods like golden threads. Suo Chao rubbed his eyes, got up, washed up in the nearby stream, and then set out on his journey again.

Suo Chao stood up and began to practice sword. His every move was full of power and his prestige increased dramatically, as if he was the master of this wilderness.

Gradually, Suo Chao's loneliness faded away, and he seemed to become one with the wilderness.

Fueled by his rapid pace, Suo Chao advanced at a rapid speed, like an arrow from a bow. Near noon, he finally arrived at the gate of Yandu County (part of Guangling Commandery in the Eastern Han Dynasty, now Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province).

There were not many people in front of the city gate. Two burly guards holding spears stood on both sides, looking majestic and dignified like two guardian gods.

A notice was posted on one side of the city gate, and a group of curious people stood around it, chirping like a flock of birds. Few people could read in those days, so when they saw a refined scholar approaching, they all consciously made way for him.

From time to time, a curious citizen would ask the scholar, "Sir, do you know what the notice says?"

The scholar straightened his clothes, hummed his throat, and began to recite in a vivid voice:

"Yandu County is currently plagued by an epidemic! County Magistrate Sun, sympathetic to the suffering of the people, has dedicated a large sum of money to finding a renowned physician. Anyone who can cure the city's patients will be rewarded with a thousand gold coins! Anyone who can quell the plague will be appointed director of the county clinic!"

After hearing the content of the notice, the people began to whisper and discuss.

"The plague in the surrounding villages is quite serious. Many people have died in Liujia Village!"

"I'm from Gu Village. Gu Ergou and his entire family are all gone! There are still many infected people in the village! My father sent someone to pass on a message, asking me not to go back in the near future!"

"Yes! This disease is really terrible. It has caused panic among the people of the whole county. We don't seem to have any famous doctors here!"

"I heard there's a doctor named Hua in Qiao County, Pei State. Before he was thirty, he had already mastered exquisite medical skills. It's a pity he travels all over the place, and his whereabouts are erratic!"

"Yeah, it would be great if Dr. Hua could come to our place!"

As everyone talked, their expressions of worry grew more serious. At this time, a man dressed as a vendor said confidently:

"My hometown is Nanyang Nieyang County (now Dengzhou City, Henan Province). There was a man named Zhang Xiaolian there who started practicing medicine at the age of ten and was very skilled. Rumor has it that he is only 24 years old this year. If he came here, he could also post notices."

"Nanyang? Where is that?"

"It's said that distant water can't quench a nearby fire even though it's a thousand miles away! Otherwise, the Taiping Dao's Zhang Tianshi's talisman water treatment method is also very effective!"

"Don't worry, I heard from my cousin's second uncle's brother that there's also a miracle doctor in nearby Yunyan Town. His medical skills are pretty good! He's cured a lot of people!"

Suo Chao stood outside the crowd, his short stature inconspicuous among them. At first, he stood aside, quietly listening to the people's discussions. He had a rough idea of ​​what was happening. Suddenly, a voice with a baby voice rang out:

"Uncles, please make way and give me a way!"

"Why are you pushing? Whose kid is this? Take him away!"

"Excuse me, uncles and aunts, can you please help me?"

"What are you doing, baby?"

"I'm going to take the notice and apply for the position of director of a medical clinic!"

"What a big tone! You kid, do you even know all the characters? Go away, stop fooling around here!"

"Yes, little kid, this is a medical notice, you can't do anything stupid!"

Suo Chao walked up to the white-haired old man, his watery eyes staring at him like two bright stars.

"Grandpa, I really know medicine. Please help me, I am the miracle doctor you all are talking about in Yunyan Town!"

"Nonsense! You're only three or four years old, how can you have such ability! Have you been studying medicine since you were in the womb? No one in my family can read a single word, let alone practice medicine. Do you know all the characters?"

Suo Chao was speechless. He leaped up like a nimble bird and lightly snatched the notice away. Everyone stared at Suo Chao in amazement, their eyes nearly popping out of their heads. This was a piece of cake for him. With Suo Chao's current skill level, taking the notice was no problem.

"Someone took the notice down!"

At this time, the guards holding spears came over, and the group of people consciously made way.

"Who took away the notice? Follow me!"

Everyone pointed at the child standing in the crowd and said in unison: "It's him!!!"

"What? Are you kidding? And then again, who took the notice away?"

"It's me!"

Suo Chao pointed at himself again, put his hands on his hips, and looked at the guard confidently.

"Don't mess around! I'll catch you and beat you up!"

"Darong, what are you doing? Are you still worried that the county magistrate will punish us by making us guard the city for ten days? Now you are bullying a little kid. If this gets to the adults, we will be in trouble!"

"Brother Gongfu, this little kid has revealed the truth! Don't you think this is nonsense? Which kid can cure diseases and heal people? Especially since this is a plague!!"

"Oh...! Little kid, who are you from? Are you lost? Do you want me to help you find your parents?"

Suo Chao felt very upset. He sorted out his thoughts and said, "Hello, soldier! I'm here to heal illnesses and save lives! I'm not kidding. Here's a letter from my adoptive mother, written to your county magistrate's wife! My adoptive mother is Madam Wu's cousin!"

Huang Gai took the letter and saw it was addressed to his cousin, Wu Xiu. The county magistrate and his wife were newly married, and it wasn't often that one knew their maiden name. As the county magistrate's loyal bodyguard, he naturally didn't dare neglect it.

"Young Master, please come this way! My brother was a bit slow just now!"

Zu Mao looked at the little kid and couldn't help but frowned, muttering, "Whose kid is so outrageous? How dare he call himself a doctor!!! Well, you're from the wife's family, you're awesome!!!"

"Darong, why don't you take this young master to see the lady!"

"Okay, Brother Gongfu. Young Master, please come this way!"

Two figures, one tall and one short, walked towards the Sun Mansion! Only a group of confused onlookers were left behind! Huang Gai shouted loudly: "Everyone, disperse quickly. The epidemic is raging now. Please try to reduce going out and avoid gathering in large groups. This disease spreads too quickly. There are still many infected people being taken in outside the city!"

Sun Mansion. Small bridges, flowing water, pavilions, and towers, all arranged in a well-arranged pattern! The trees in the courtyard were occasionally sprouting new buds! Early spring in Yandu County held a unique charm. Zu Mao led Suo Chao straight to Madam Wu's residence.

"Xiao Lan, someone is coming from Madam's family! This is a letter!"

"Oh! Leave it to me! I'll give it to my lady!"

Xiaolan took the letter and hurried into the house. Soon, Xiaolan's clear and pleasant voice was heard: "Madam, Madam! There's a letter from my parents!"

"Oh, really? Show it to me!"

Mrs. Wu took the letter and opened it. Seeing that it was from her cousin Wu Rou, she immediately smiled and began to examine it carefully.

"Hey! After all these years, my sister finally remembered me!"

The letter began with a chat about family matters, mentioning the couple's recent progress. It then touched upon a family member's illness being healed by divine intervention, and then spoke of adopting Suo Chao, and finally, Suo Chao's arrival at the Sun residence. She hoped Wu Xiu would take good care of Suo Chao in the future, ideally allowing him to live in the Sun residence.

Mrs. Wu was also quite shocked. She didn't expect that a four-year-old child could have such amazing medical skills.

"Xiao Lan, quickly bring Xiao Suochao to the living room. I'll go prepare some snacks!"

"Okay, ma'am."

Xiaolan left the lady's room and found Xiaochao standing outside the house.

"Young Master, Madam is in the hall! Waiting for you."

Suo Chao followed Xiaolan and came to a bright and ancient hall.

Standing before the hall was a graceful woman, perhaps in her twenties, dressed in a green gown. She wore a golden hairpin on her head and a jade pendant on her waist. Her figure was graceful and charming, and she was approaching with a broad smile.

"Xiao Chao! I received my sister's letter. Welcome to our home. I didn't expect you to be a little miracle doctor!"

"Thank you, Madam Wu! I have some experience in medicine and can treat the symptoms of this plague. I am requesting an audience with County Magistrate Sun."