I am the Holy Poisoner, the Empress advised me to calm down

After seeing Zhang Weixin off, Zhou Qing said, "Your Majesty, it seems that South Vietnam has serious plans. They first threatened us, and now they are creating a crisis, hoping that we will seek their help."

"I think so too." Xu Feihong nodded, "However, we cannot completely ignore the threat of the barbarians."

"Your Majesty, I have a suggestion."

"explain."

"We can send trusted spies to secretly investigate the true situation of the barbarians. At the same time, we must also prevent South Vietnam from taking advantage of the opportunity to cause trouble."

"Okay, let's do it," Xu Feihong decided. "You go and make arrangements. Send the most elite secret guards to investigate the northern border."

"Yes."

At this moment, Song Jiayun rushed in again: "Your Majesty, the envoy from South Vietnam is here again!"

"Again?" Xu Feihong frowned. "What's the reason this time?"

"He said he had important news to report."

"pass!"

Not long after, the South Vietnamese envoy walked into the imperial study again, but this time his expression was more solemn.

"Your Majesty, I have important news to report."

"explain."

"The barbarian army has begun its march south and is expected to reach the border in three days," the envoy said. "Nanyue is willing to send troops to assist Daqian in resisting the barbarians."

"What are the conditions?" Xu Feihong asked directly.

"Your Majesty, we in Nanyue do have a small request," the envoy said. "We hope that Daqian can provide some medical books to treat the wounded."

As expected! Zhou Qing sneered in his heart. Nan Yue had gone through so much trouble, but in the end, it was all for the medical book.

"I have said that medical books cannot be passed on to outsiders." Xu Feihong flatly refused.

"Your Majesty, without medical books, our Nanyue military doctors will not be able to treat the wounded, and I'm afraid it will be difficult for them to fully assist Daqian." The envoy threatened.

"Then I don't need your help." Xu Feihong said coldly, "My Daqian is capable of dealing with the barbarians."

The envoy's face was gloomy: "Your Majesty, the barbarians are coming with such force this time. With only the power of Daqian, I'm afraid..."

"Enough!" Xu Feihong said angrily, "I have seen through all your tricks in Nanyue. The so-called barbarian army is nothing but a lie you made up!"

"Your Majesty, this is a matter of great importance to the safety of both countries. How can you treat it so lightly?"

"Contempt?" Zhou Qing stepped forward. "We've already sent people to investigate, and the barbarians haven't assembled on a large scale. Your news from South Vietnam is completely false!"

The envoy's face changed drastically: "You...you..."

"Are you still not leaving?" Xu Feihong said sternly, "If you don't leave, I will order you to be expelled!"

Upon seeing this, the envoys from South Vietnam knew that their plan had been exposed and had to leave in disgrace.

"Your Majesty, it seems that South Vietnam is determined to get our medical books." Zhou Qing said.

"I know." Xu Feihong said solemnly, "Issue an order to strengthen border defenses and strictly prevent South Vietnam from any illegal activities. At the same time, send people to secretly investigate South Vietnam's true intentions."

"Yes!"

Five days later, in a restaurant in the capital.

Zhou Qing was discussing the plan to investigate South Vietnam with several secret guard leaders when suddenly a secret guard hurried over.

"Sir, there is an important discovery!"

"explain."

"My investigation has revealed that South Vietnam has recently been sending frequent merchant caravans to the East China Sea islands, and the members of these caravans are not ordinary merchants."

"What's the meaning?"

"These people are elite warriors from South Vietnam, disguised as businessmen." The secret guard reported.

Zhou Qing's mind moved: "What are they doing in the East China Sea Islands?"

"According to my investigation, they seem to be looking for something."

"what?"

"I'm not sure, but judging by their actions, they seem to be searching for some ancient medical book or prescription."

Medical books? Zhou Qing pondered in his heart, it seems that Nan Yue’s obsession with medical books is deeper than he imagined.

“Anything else?”

"Yes," the guard continued, "Many of the troops assembled by South Vietnam on the border are mercenaries, not native South Vietnamese soldiers."

"Mercenaries?" Zhou Qing frowned. "What do they hire mercenaries for?"

"I suspect it's to conceal the real purpose."

Zhou Qing nodded. This analysis made sense. Nanyue used mercenaries to create threats and then took the opportunity to make demands on Daqian.

"Continue the investigation and make sure to find out the true intentions of South Vietnam."

"Yes!"

Just then, there was a commotion outside the restaurant. Zhou Qing walked to the window and saw that many people had gathered on the street, seemingly watching something.

"what happened?"

"Sir, it seems like someone is practicing medicine on the street." A secret guard reported.

Practicing medicine? Zhou Qing's mind moved, and he went downstairs to see what was going on.

Walking down the street, Zhou Qing saw a white-haired old man treating a patient. The old man's medical skills were superb, and he quickly cured the patient. The onlookers were all amazed and impressed.

"The old doctor is really skilled in medicine!"

“Yes, such a serious disease can be cured.”

"Old doctor, where are you from?"

The old man smiled and said, "I have traveled extensively, practicing medicine and helping the world, not seeking fame or fortune."

Zhou Qing observed the old man carefully and found that although he was a skilled doctor, there was a shrewd look in his eyes. This made Zhou Qing suspicious.

"Old doctor, your medical skills are so superb, you must have learned from a famous teacher, right?" asked a bystander.

"I learned medicine from an ancient doctor, and all the medical skills I learned were obtained from ancient medical books." The old man replied.

“Ancient medical book?”

"That's right. I once obtained several ancient medical books, which recorded many lost medical techniques."

Zhou Qing's heart moved. This old man mentioned ancient medical books. Could it be related to Nanyue?

"Old doctor, where are these ancient medical books now?"

"Alas, it's all lost," the old man sighed. "However, I heard that the Daqian royal family collected quite a few ancient medical books, including some of Hua Tuo's true teachings."

Hua Tuo? Zhou Qing was shocked. Hua Tuo was a famous doctor in ancient times, and his medical books were indeed invaluable.

"Old genius doctor, does the Hua Tuo's true teachings you mentioned really exist?"

"Of course it exists," the old man said mysteriously. "Legend has it that before Hua Tuo was killed by Cao Cao, he passed his medical book to a jailer. Later, this medical book was spread among the people."

“Where is it now?”

"I don't know." The old man shook his head. "But I heard someone is looking for this medical book recently, and the price is very high."

Zhou Qing was secretly alert in his heart, as the old man's words were obviously testing something.

"Old doctor, who is looking for this medical book?"

"I'm not too sure, but I heard it was some foreign businessmen."

A foreign businessman? Zhou Qing was even more certain that this old man had connections with South Vietnam.

At this moment, the old man suddenly looked at Zhou Qing and said, "This young man has an extraordinary appearance. He must be a doctor, right?"

“I know a little bit.” Zhou Qing said modestly.

"Oh? I wonder who your master is?"

"My family background is not worth mentioning." Zhou Qing did not give a detailed answer.

A hint of disappointment flashed across the old man's eyes, but he quickly regained his smile. "Young Master, you are too modest. However, judging from your complexion, I believe you possess profound internal strength and must also know some health-preserving techniques."