Traveling back to the Northern Song Dynasty: Picking up a princess as my wife

The renowned physician Guo, his face full of hostility, asked Li Zhen, "May I ask this young master's name? Do you possess any medical knowledge?"

Li Zhen smiled and said to the old man, "Medical theory? I don't understand it, but I have someone in my family who does. My name is Li Zhen, and I am the chief of Li Family Village in the south of the city. Old sir, you'd be happy to visit me sometime."

"Do you know this is a matter of life and death? People can die if they take the wrong medicine?"

Li Zhen: "Then I asked the old man if he had any way to cure me. I only took action after you all declared that there was no cure for me. Do you know how much my pill is worth? Let me tell you, even the same weight of gold cannot buy it, because many of the ingredients in this pill are no longer available in the world. I estimate that only our family has a few left."

Doctor Guo sneered, "What does this brat know! If it really works and can save the magistrate's wife, I'll immediately kneel down and become your disciple."

The doctors nearby also joined in the commotion.

"That's right. This kid doesn't even understand the most basic medical principles, yet he dares to prescribe medicine for patients. This could kill someone."

"Hmph, if he can't cure the lady's illness, do you think the magistrate will let him off the hook?"

Hearing these people's cold words, not only Li Zhen, but even Zhang Cheng's face turned ugly. If his wife were cured, he would definitely be grateful to Li Zhen, but if his wife died after taking Li Zhen's medicine, then Zhang Cheng would not survive, and Li Zhen would not have an easy time either.

Li Zhen paid no heed to the doctors' words, merely smiling dismissively. This was Western medicine, far more effective than traditional Chinese medicine of this era. (This is not intended to belittle traditional Chinese medicine; it's purely for plot purposes.)

As time passed, the fever on Madam Zhang's face on the bed began to subside, and the maidservant beside her noticed it.

"Master, Master, Madam's fever has subsided!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Cheng immediately jumped up from the ground. He rushed to the bedside and touched his wife's forehead.

It's still a bit hot, but it's so much better than before.

Madam Zhang, who had been unconscious, slowly opened her eyes and said to Zhang Cheng beside her, "Husband, I feel much better now. I think I saw Grandma calling me just now."

Upon hearing this, everyone present exchanged bewildered glances, indicating that Li Zhen's medication had taken effect.

Especially the doctors, whose eyes were filled with disbelief.

Doctor Guo stepped forward slowly and respectfully said to Zhang Cheng, "Your Excellency, may I examine your wife?"

Zhang Cheng immediately moved aside from the bedside. Doctor Guo first tested Madam Zhang's forehead with his hand to check her temperature, and then began to take her pulse.

After a while, an impatient doctor asked, "Dr. Guo, how is Madam Wang?"

Doctor Guo slowly withdrew his hand from taking the pulse, his face full of disbelief, and said, "Impossible, absolutely impossible, the heat toxicity has actually subsided!"

Everyone present was stunned, and the entire backyard was completely silent.

Manager Sun was the first to react. He said to Zhang Cheng, "Congratulations, Magistrate! With Li Zhen's miraculous medicine, Madam's condition has improved."

"Congratulations, Your Excellency!"

At this moment, Zhang Cheng felt like he had come back to life. As long as his wife was alright, his future and career would be secure.

Zhang Cheng: "Hahaha... Brother Li Zhen, thank you for your miraculous medicine. I, Zhang, will definitely repay you with a generous gift. I will remember your great kindness for the rest of my life."

At this moment, Doctor Guo also realized what was happening and went straight to Li Zhen, kneeling down with a thud.

Everyone present was stunned, their eyes practically popping out of their sockets. What was going on?

"Dr. Li, no! Master, from this day forward you are my master, Guo Chun's master. Master, above all..."

Li Zhen was taken aback for a moment, then jumped away, hiding behind Manager Sun and saying, "Are you crazy, old man? Kneeling and bowing to me at your age is shortening my lifespan."

The renowned physician Guo was not angry when he heard Li Zhen say that. After getting up from the ground, he bowed to Li Zhen and said, "Master Li, please explain to your disciple the efficacy of this miraculous medicine. Why can a few small pills remove the heat poison of the county magistrate's wife? Do you have any more of this miraculous medicine?"

You were the one who didn't believe it just now, and now you're shamelessly begging for it. Do you think you can replicate it with today's technology?

Seeing that everyone was curious, Li Zhen deliberately pretended to be profound and said, "The magistrate's wife has a fever called viral cold, which is transmitted through skin contact and respiration. Because there are a large number of viruses in her body, her high fever persists. The medicine I gave her is to kill these viruses. Once the viruses are dead, the high fever will naturally subside."

With a puzzled look on his face, Dr. Guo asked, "What exactly is this virus?"

Li Zhen scratched his head, thinking as he said, "This virus is... Why should I tell you? Even if I told you, you wouldn't know. Hurry up and go out. The patient needs to rest right now."

Zhang Cheng, who was standing to the side, spoke up: "All of you doctors, please go out first. I have something to ask Chief Li. Please don't disturb him."

After he finished speaking, someone chased everyone out, including Doctor Guo.

At this point, only Li Zhen and Zhang Cheng remained in the room.

Seeing that no one was around, Zhang Cheng immediately knelt down before Li Zhen: "Chief Li, thank you for saving my wife's life. If it weren't for you, my wife would probably be dead today, and I wouldn't be alive either."

How could Li Zhen accept such a great gift? He immediately pulled Zhang Cheng up.

“Brother Zhang, what are you doing? Didn’t we say that we would do our best to help anyone in trouble? Just put the rest of the medicine away. Madam will need to take it again tonight. After taking it three times, Madam should be almost fully recovered.”

Zhang Cheng pondered for a moment and then said, "Brother, I thank you for saving my life. I heard you say that this medicine is expensive, so I will have someone fetch some silver. However, I don't have much here, so I don't know if it will be enough."

Li Zhen straightened his face: "You were just calling me 'brother' a moment ago, why are you being so formal? This medicine is a gift from me, I don't want a single penny. If you keep nagging, then you're looking down on me."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Cheng was so moved that he almost cried. He had only intended to use Li Zhen, but he hadn't expected Li Zhen to treat him with such sincerity, which made him feel that he had been somewhat despicable and vile.

Seeing that his wife's condition had improved, Zhang Cheng was in a great mood. He ordered a large table of fine food to be set up in the county government office and pulled Li Zhen and Manager Sun to sit down.

As for the local gentry and wealthy families, they are simply not qualified to sit at his table, at least not in today's atmosphere.

Amidst the clinking of glasses, Li Zhen mentioned his desire to open a restaurant in Tangyin City. Zhang Cheng immediately summoned his advisor and instructed him to inquire about the best location in Tangyin City.

From the previous provision of grain to today's assistance with miraculous medicine, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but look at Li Zhen, this man from the south, with new respect. The fact that Li Zhen possessed so many resources and abilities indicated that his family had a very strong foundation; if used properly, it might have a miraculous effect on his career.

The banquet lasted from the afternoon until the lamps were lit in the evening. During this time, Li Zhen went to check on Madam Zhang's condition. Madam Zhang, who hadn't eaten much for several days, actually drank a bowl of rice porridge that evening.