Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Ma Chao and the others had just risen when Zhang Xiu arrived, excited and shouting. Without a word, he grabbed Ma Chao and began to leave. Ma Chao suddenly felt a headache and said helplessly, "Ah Xiu, I heard you were always well-behaved and a great general in Wancheng. How could you suddenly become so reckless?" Zhang Xiu replied, a little embarrassed, "General, it's only because you're by my side that I feel I have support, and that's when I've returned to my old ways. Before, when my uncle was seriously ill, I had to feign composure, fearing it would destabilize the army."

Ma Chao quipped with a smile, "You act like this when you relax a little. I guess I'll have to keep you on edge from now on. What brings you here in such a hurry? What brings you here?" Zhang Xiu said seriously, "General, I mentioned the gray hairs on your temples yesterday. When I went to pay my respects to my uncle today, I suddenly remembered that the famous doctor Zhang Ji, Zhang Zhongjing, was in Wancheng and had prescribed a decoction for my uncle. Since I have nothing else to do today, I hurried over and invited you to come with him so he can examine you." Ma Chao waved his hand nonchalantly, "What's wrong with me? It's just excessive worry and pent-up resentment. Why bother Mr. Zhongjing again?"

At this time, Xu Shu and others also came over. Xu Shu was the first to persuade: "General, you should go and see a doctor." Zhang Liao and Zhang Ren also echoed: "General, it's good to go and see a doctor." Pan Feng continued: "Yes, General, you should go and see a famous doctor. If you can recover as before, your white hair will turn black again, and the ladies will not be sad to see you." Wu Anguo added: "General, you don't know, since you grew these two strands of white hair due to grief and anger, you have never returned to Xiliang. The lord and the lady knew about this, and I don't know how anxious they were. They shed tears many times in secret." When Ma Chao heard this, his heart softened. He really didn't want his family to worry about him so much. Thinking of this, he sighed and said: "That's it. In this case, Ah Xiu, please lead the way to find Mr. Zhongjing."

In a corner of Wancheng, a group of people rode their horses to a pharmacy. Outside, a long, snake-like queue formed. These impoverished people, all haggard and gaunt, their eyes filled with longing and hope for health. Inside, a middle-aged scholar sat solemnly, his face amiable and his gaze focused and calm. His hand rested firmly on a patient's pulse, carefully feeling the faint yet crucial beat of life. He whispered inquiries about the patient's condition. Then, unhurriedly, he picked up his pen and methodically wrote a prescription on the paper. Throughout, he never raised his head, as if the surrounding chaos had nothing to do with him, completely absorbed in his sacred mission of saving lives and healing the wounded.

Ma Chao led a group of men, all of them imposing and imposing, their weapons gleaming with cold light. They galloped forward, their hooves thundering like thunder, and dust billowed in their wake. The spectacle terrified the patients waiting in line, their hearts racing like they were in their throats. Fearful, they dared not even think of stopping the men from cutting in line, instinctively moving aside to make way for them.

Once inside the medicine room, Zhang Ji, also known as Zhongjing, remained immersed in his own world of diagnosis and treatment, oblivious to the uninvited intruders, not even raising his head. He remained completely absorbed in taking the patient's pulse, his slender fingers resting lightly on the patient's wrist, his eyes slightly closed, as if engaged in a silent battle with the disease. He softly inquired, "How long has the illness lasted? Do you have chills or fever? How are your diet and sleep?" Then, he calmly picked up his pen and wrote furiously on the prescription, each stroke penetrating the paper. The handwriting was neat and clear, a clear reflection of years of rigorous medical practice.

Upon seeing this, Zhang Xiu felt a surge of inexplicable anger. He considered this to be the case in Wancheng, a city under his jurisdiction, and a man who always had his way. To be ignored like this was truly humiliating. Furthermore, this was happening in front of General Ma Chao, which made him feel completely humiliated, and his image in the general's eyes was likely to be severely damaged. Impulsively, he strode forward, slapped Zhang Ji's desk with his hand, and shouted at the top of his voice, "Hey, Doctor Zhang, look at me! It's me! I'm Zhang Xiu. A few days ago, you carefully treated my uncle. Today, I've brought you a distinguished figure. You must be extremely alert and take a good look at him."

Zhang Zhongjing acted as if he hadn't heard anything, not even looking up. He simply said coldly, "Stop making such noise. I know you're the nephew of the city lord and the young master of Wancheng. But can't you see I'm incredibly busy right now? All of these people seeking medical treatment are suffering from illness and pain, and they come to me with hope. Just because you've brought some so-called important people with you, can the ailments of these poor people be ignored and my care no longer be needed? If this is the philosophy you uphold in Wancheng, then this vast city of Wancheng can't accommodate a country doctor like me. I'd rather not stay here." Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiu's face flushed red, burning hot, and he looked so embarrassed that he almost wanted to find a hole to crawl into. Not only had he lost face, but he had also been reprimanded so mercilessly, his heart filled with regret and helplessness. But he knew full well that Zhang Zhongjing's medical skills were superb, a true miracle doctor of his time. His reputation was renowned throughout Wancheng and even the surrounding areas, and countless difficult and complicated illnesses had been cured by his hands. He truly couldn't bear to let him go, nor did he dare let him leave in such anger. So, he quickly suppressed his anger and said in a pleading tone, "Hey, Divine Doctor Zhang, Divine Doctor Zhang, please be magnanimous. Don't be angry. It's all my fault. I was rash and offended you. But I really don't know what to do. I hope you can tell me what it will take for you to treat my general." Zhang Zhongjing remained motionless, his pen unceasingly moving. He simply said, "However, you will decide. That's all I have to say. Please don't interrupt me while I write the prescription."

Behind Ma Chao, Pan Feng and Wu Anguo, the two generals, saw their lord being so ignored. Their eyes widened, and their rage suddenly rose. They exchanged glances, rolled up their sleeves, and rushed forward, as if ready to overturn the small medicine hut. Ma Chao, quick-witted and quick-handed, quickly extended his hands to stop the two men, his eyes filled with a hint of blame and admonition. Then, he gently patted Zhang Xiu's shoulder, signaling him not to panic. Zhang Xiu raised his head with an embarrassed look, looking at Ma Chao with eyes full of guilt and helplessness. Ma Chao, however, looked serious. He took a step forward, bowed deeply to Zhang Zhongjing who was concentrating on treating the patient, and then said sincerely: "Sir, you have the world in your heart and a benevolent heart as a doctor. Ma Chao has truly witnessed it today. In this turbulent world, you always put the illness of the poor people first and never abandon them. Ma Chao admires your noble character very much. How dare we disrupt the order of your diagnosis and treatment for our own selfish reasons. We will go to line up outside and wait, and will not delay you for a moment." After that, he turned around and led everyone out of the medicine house slowly, standing quietly at the end of the line outside, with a calm expression, without any impatience or displeasure.

Although Zhang Zhongjing didn't look up, he caught a glimpse of Ma Chao, who had just bowed. For a moment, he couldn't help but admire Ma Chao's intelligence and courteous manner. Zhang Zhongjing, a former official, had no idea how he could be unaware of such a prominent figure as Ma Chao. Even if he truly didn't know at first, the fact that he had the Young Master of Wancheng personally accompanying him, and the respectful tone with which Zhang Xiu addressed him, "My General," was enough to tell him he was no ordinary man. Back in his days as an official, Zhang Zhongjing had heard of Ma Chao's rising fame in Luoyang, his renowned Confucian expertise drawing widespread attention. Later, sensing the perils of the political world and witnessing its corruption, he felt powerless to truly help the people. Filled with a mixture of unfulfilled ambition and resentment, he resolutely resigned from his official position to pursue medicine, escaping that corrupt world. Although he had lived in seclusion among the people for many years, he had constantly heard of the great reputation that Ma Chao, the King of Xiliang, had established during the turbulent times, and he had developed a certain curiosity and admiration for him. Now, witnessing Ma Chao's humble and courteous demeanor, his unwillingness to bully others, he nodded in approval.

In a flash, Zhang Zhongjing put his thoughts aside and once again focused his full attention on the patient before him. He skillfully and intently practiced his observation and palpation skills. His gaze, like a torch, seemed to penetrate the superficial symptoms and probe the root of the disease. He placed his finger on the pulse, delicately sensing every change. He sniffed the breath, capturing any hint of pathogenic energy. He listened attentively to the patient's account, not missing a single crucial detail. Once his diagnosis was complete, he wrote the prescription with a solemn and cautious expression, meticulously selecting each ingredient and determining each dosage, demonstrating his reverence for life and his reverence for medical skill.

The remaining patients, though initially intimidated by the overwhelming presence of Ma Chao and the others, remained silent and uneasy. But under Zhang Zhongjing's affable and warm greeting, they gradually calmed down and, following the usual routine, slowly walked forward one by one to receive treatment. For a moment, the only sounds within the medicine room were the rustling of paper and pens, the murmurings of patients, and Zhang Zhongjing's gentle and patient inquiries. Everything proceeded smoothly, as if the previous minor disturbance had never occurred.