Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

The wounded had already received the most basic bandages when they arrived. However, streaks of blood still oozed slowly through the bandages. Hua Tuo's expression was solemn. He slowly squatted down and gently peeled back the bandage covering the wound of the most seriously injured old man. The wound was red and swollen, and the surrounding skin was a dark, distressing color, as if it were the beginning of a festering wound. Hua Tuo reached out and placed his hand on the old man's forehead. It was burning hot to the touch, clearly he had a fever and was in a critical condition.

The young general stood aside, his eyes fixed on Hua Tuo's every move, his face full of tension, and his voice trembling with a hint of trembling, he said: "Sir, what do you think of the injury of my old steward? Is it possible to treat him?" Hua Tuo raised his head slightly and smiled gently, trying to ease the solemn atmosphere: "Don't be so nervous, now that you are here, I will do my best to treat the old man." After that, Hua Tuo and Zhang Fubao quickly got busy.

The tent was completely silent, with only the sounds of Hua Tuo and Zhang Fubao treating the wounded echoing from time to time. Their movements were deft and agile, whether cleaning wounds or applying medicine and bandages, meticulously carrying out each step. Time slipped away quietly in this intense and busy work, and before they knew it, a long hour had passed. Finally, all the wounded were carefully bandaged again. Hua Tuo stood up, took a deep breath, and carefully wrote out a prescription for each wounded, patiently instructing: "Be sure to follow the prescription and do not be careless. This will prevent the fever from getting worse and the wound from festering."

Only then did the young general, as if awakened from a nightmare, slowly exhale, the tension on his face gradually dissipating, replaced by a look of gratitude. He quickly walked over to Hua Tuo and bowed deeply, "Sir, I am deeply grateful for your kindness." Meanwhile, Hua Tuo and Zhang Fubao were standing nearby at a basin, washing their hands with warm water. Zhang Fubao had been traveling with Hua Tuo these days, frequently coming into contact with the wounded. The initial shock and discomfort of having blood on his hands had long since become accustomed to it.

The young general then ordered his men to bring a tray of gold. Its vibrant yellow and heavy weight betrayed its immense value, demonstrating his lavish spending. Even Zhang Fubao, a man of considerable experience and experience following Hua Tuo's travels, could not help but admire the young general's generosity. He said, filled with gratitude, "Thank you both for your tireless efforts in treating my steward and my brothers. I have prepared these twenty pieces of gold as a token of my gratitude. I hope you will not despise me." Hua Tuo simply waved his hand, his expression impassive. His medical practice was unconcerned with the amount of money. Saving the dying and healing the wounded was a physician's fundamental duty, and he would never be swayed by the lure of gold and silver.

Zhang Fubao stood there, momentarily lost in thought, staring intently at the young general's handsome face. A faint blush crept into his cheeks, and his heart raced. He felt the young general before him radiated an irresistible charm. Sensing Zhang Fubao's strange gaze, the young general felt a touch awkward. He coughed lightly, breaking the delicate atmosphere, and spoke again sincerely, "These are the only things we have with us on our journey. This place is remote, and I don't have anything else suitable to offer as a gift. This small amount of gold and silver will serve as a consultation fee. I hope you two won't refuse."

Hua Tuo seemed oblivious to the lingering words of gratitude. He simply waved his hand casually, saying, "Leave it there for now." Then, as if remembering something, he asked with a hint of confusion in his eyes, "Where is this general from? Judging from your attire and accent, you're not from here. Where did you suffer this injury?" The young general straightened his back slightly, a hint of pride in his expression as he replied, "I am Yuan Xi, the second son of Yuan Shao. The world is in chaos right now. Although my Yuan family is a powerful vassal, the huge military expenses require funding from many sources. In his early years, Ma Chao of Xiliang achieved great success by organizing caravans. Therefore, my father ordered me to organize a caravan and travel around to earn money to supplement military expenses. Unexpectedly, while on this trade trip, we were ambushed by a group of bandits. Although we fought hard, many of my brothers were injured. Fortunately, you two helped us avert a disaster."

Hua Tuo stood there quietly, his face unmoved, yet deep down he held no faith in the claims of the man claiming to be Yuan Xi. The Yuan family was a prestigious clan, with three dukes for four generations. Numerous officials at court were descended from their descendants, and their influence was deeply entrenched. Such a prominent family always placed great emphasis on the cultivation of their children and the preservation of their reputation and prestige. How could they be willing to allow their legitimate son to engage in such mundane and risky business as a traveling merchant? There had to be something else going on.

However, Hua Tuo had practiced medicine for many years, had seen all sorts of things in the world, and was well versed in the ways of the world. He understood that everyone had their own secrets, and since the young man was unwilling to speak truthfully, why would he forcefully expose them and cause them more trouble? So, he decided to just say a few polite words and brush the matter off, treating it as a simple medical treatment, with no need for further interaction in the future.

However, the young general immediately saw the perfunctory and indifferent look in Hua Tuo's eyes. The slightly raised corner of his mouth and his nonchalant response seemed to silently tell him that the miracle doctor before him did not believe him. A subtle embarrassment flashed across the young general's face, and his eyes, once bright and confident, dimmed a little. A hint of helplessness quietly spread in his heart. He knew that his explanation was unconvincing.

She wasn't Yuan Xi. She was from Wuji, Zhongshan, and descended from a renowned, wealthy merchant family. Her family, steeped in commerce for generations, possessed a deep and profound business foundation, and their wealth was unfathomable. In these turbulent times, with various factions vying for supremacy, such a wealthy and influential family naturally attracted the attention of Yuan Shao, the governor of Jizhou. Yuan Shao, intent on expanding his power and strengthening his economic base to gain a more advantageous position amidst the strife among the warring states, set his sights on her family.

Yuan Shao went to great lengths to secure her family's unwavering support. First, he recruited her father, Zhen Yi, as the magistrate of Shangcai, offering his family official status and prestige as a means of wooing her. Then, he set his sights on a marriage alliance, intending to marry her to his second son, Yuan Xi. This would allow him to control her family's wealth and business networks while further consolidating his own sphere of influence through marriage. Consequently, she was drawn into the conflict of interests between her family and the various feudal lords.

Amidst the turbulent times, her father, Zhen Yi, faced the overwhelming pressure of the Yuan Shao family, feeling helpless and powerless. The Yuan Shao family was immensely powerful in Jizhou, their vast sphere of influence, deep connections, and formidable military might unmatched by other factions. For the Zhen family, there seemed no alternative but to obey Yuan Shao's orders. After all, how could Zhen Yi risk the fate of his entire family, accumulated over generations, for a single woman? Even though the Zhen family was a wealthy and powerful merchant family, their wealth seemed but a drop in the ocean compared to the wealth of a powerful family like Yuan Shao, with its multi-generational legacy and a network of disciples and officials. From a worldly perspective, this marriage was even considered too high for the Zhen family.

So, her father could only earnestly persuade her: "My child, don't have any other ideas. Now that the Yuan family has made this arrangement, accepting it is the best choice. This is the fate of our family, and it is also your destiny." However, Zhen Mi was not one to give in easily. The Zhen family had no brothers, only sisters. As she grew older, Zhen Mi traveled extensively with the family's caravan. This was partly to broaden her horizons and understand the world and the rules of the business world; but also, it was also her father's early idea: to test which of the sisters had the ability and courage to take over the Zhen family business and continue its glory.

It was precisely through her travels and encounters with diverse people and situations in the vast world that Zhen Mi gradually developed her own independent thinking and judgment. Faced with her father, powerless to resist Yuan Shao's oppression and forced to accept the arranged marriage, what could she do? Though deeply reluctant, she knew the weight of her family's fate and could only bury her resentment, believing that perhaps she could only accept the flow of fate. But she refused to waste her time at home, like other women, waiting to be married. Instead, she stubbornly followed the caravan on its journey.

With the Yuan family's towering support, Zhen Mi's actions became much easier. Within the territories of the Guandong vassal states, simply waving the Yuan family banner often granted her unimpeded access and smooth sailing. However, the path of commerce ultimately encompassed the world. Territories hostile to the Yuan family, especially those controlled by the imperial court, presented a formidable challenge for the Zhen family's caravans. Fortunately, the Zhen family's members were resourceful and adaptable. At the time, the Ma family caravans were renowned, and the name of Jin Ma Chao was even more renowned, unrivaled throughout the land. Therefore, whenever leading a caravan into imperial territory, Zhen Mi would disguise herself as a man, wearing a silver helmet and armor, and riding a white horse, impersonating Ma Chao. On a daily basis, they lived in peace, always turning danger into safety. Even minor troubles were averted by simply waving the banner of Jin Ma Chao, and for a long time, they encountered no major danger.

Her original destination was Yizhou. As a relative of the Han dynasty, she assumed the governor of Yizhou would be friendly to the imperial court. Ma Chao, a renowned military commander, seemed the safest option for her to conduct business under his banner. So, ever since leaving Chang'an, she had always held high Ma Chao's banner, and indeed, encountered no major dangers or obstacles along the way. The caravan continued its relatively smooth journey, gradually approaching the borders of Hanzhong.

However, she was completely unaware that Hanzhong was currently engaged in a fierce battle with Xiliang. Entering the raging battlefield, she unknowingly held high the banner of Xiliang's Ma Chao and marched with impunity. Unexpectedly, this move was seen as a blatant provocation and offense by the local defenders. Instantly, shouts of killing erupted as the Hanzhong army surged out like a tide, launching a fierce ambush upon the unsuspecting caravan. The caravan was thrown into disarray, a cacophony of screams and cries. The horses carrying the goods bolted in panic, and the caravan members fled in terror, unable to escape the enemy's encirclement. This sudden disaster inflicted heavy losses on the caravan, with much of the cargo looted and numerous casualties. Even the experienced and usually calm steward was not spared, wounded by the enemy's sharp blades and in critical condition.