Peerless Physician: The Path of a Foolish Eldest Daughter's Rise to Power

Gu Xinyue sensed someone by her bedside. Just then, she woke up, opened her eyes, and saw a figure in front of her.

Xia He quickly whispered, "Miss, General Zhang has rescued the person. Please come and take a look."

"Don't turn on the lights, let Chun Tao in."

Gu Xinyue quickly dressed and put the few sheets of paper she had written over the past few days and some medicine into her sleeve.

Chun Tao came in, and Gu Xinyue quickly washed up. She told Chun Tao not to make a fuss, and she and Xia He quietly went out for a while.

Behind Lingmeng Pavilion were empty courtyards. They climbed over the wall and went out. A young man met them. The court officials had just finished their court session, and there were no pedestrians on the street.

Arriving at a courtyard, the man knocked on the door three times, and Zhang Peng opened it.

Upon entering the room, they found a gaunt man lying on the bed. His large eyes were still bright and alert, but his wariness was also very obvious.

“Master, this is Xie Yong, a capable advisor to Prince Rui. He is the grandson of Princess Liuyue, and he joined Prince Rui at the age of fifteen,” Zhang Peng said.

"I understand," Gu Xinyue said to Xie Yong, "Let me check your physical condition."

After speaking, he asked Xie Yong to extend his hand, took his pulse, and found that he had suffered from long-term malnutrition and some physical depletion, but there were no other problems.

She took out a medicine bottle and said, "These are Qi and Blood Pills that I developed. Take one first, and then take one every day. Once you feel your body has recovered, you won't need to take them anymore."

Zhang Peng opened the bottle, and a refreshing fragrance entered his nose. He took a slow breath and felt his mind clear up.

"Master, this medicine must be extremely valuable, for you have given me such a whole bottle."

Gu Xinyue then noticed that Zhang Peng didn't look well either; he probably hadn't eaten or rested well these past two days while rescuing people.

"You can eat one too."

Zhang Peng took one out and put it in his mouth, then put the other in Xie Yong's mouth. The pleasant fragrance that filled the room was refreshing.

Xie Yong felt the medicine melt instantly in his mouth, and he felt a cool sensation coursing through his body. He was amazed by how miraculous the medicine was and became less wary of Gu Xinyue.

Zhang Peng felt that his energy and spirit had recovered a lot. He noticed that Xie Yong's face had become rosy and his complexion was much better than before, which made him admire Gu Xinyue even more.

"May I see your Crimson Blood Token?" Xie Yong asked Gu Xinyue. He also admired Gu Xinyue's medical skills, as he had previously had difficulty speaking but could now do so.

There were only three people in the room. Gu Xinyue took the pendant off her neck and placed it in Xie Yong's hand. Xie Yong looked at it carefully, his hands trembling, and tears streaming down his face.

After a moment, Xie Yong composed himself and said, "Master, please take this order back."

Gu Xinyue took the pendant and hung it around her neck.

Xie Yong recounted his story of being imprisoned.

He had always admired Prince Rui and had studied many military books. Under his insistence, Prince Rui took him to the battlefield, but he could only serve as a strategist. He was very happy. Together they attacked Beirong, rescued Princess Changshuo who was to be married off, brought her back to the Dayue Dynasty, helped the seventh prince of Beirong ascend the throne, ended the years-long war between the two countries, and signed an agreement on friendly exchanges between the two countries.

Prince Rui also wanted to quell the war with Xiling Kingdom, because only when the war ended could the people live a peaceful and prosperous life.

On the battlefield of Xiling, Prince Rui often pondered alone. I often asked the prince what he was thinking about. The prince said that he was thinking about the future of the Great Leap Forward Dynasty.

Five months before the Battle of Qingqiu, the prince said he always felt that there was a force from Beirong to Xiling that was helping the enemy. Judging from several assassination attempts, they wanted to eliminate high-ranking generals in our army. He wanted to establish a secret force, unrelated to high-ranking generals, to launch surprise attacks on the enemy. He said he would select a general and have me join this force. The prince gave me the materials, and I made the token.

Later, the prince told me to go home and visit, saying that I might not have the chance to go home again. I went home for more than a month and was preparing to return to the Xiling border when I was beaten up and locked in a small courtyard. Seven days later, I was secretly transferred to the Dali Temple prison. At first, there were prison guards who took care of me, but later no one came.

Listening to Xie Yong's account, the three of them understood that their purpose in capturing Xie Yong was to deprive Prince Rui of Princess Liuyue's support. What a deep scheme! They wouldn't let go of any opportunity around you if they wanted you dead.

Gu Xinyue looked at them and asked, "What are your plans?"

Zhang Peng said, "We've been lying low for the past few years looking for our master. Now that we've found him, we'll obey him."

"And you, what are your plans?"

"I'm with General Zhang, but I want to go home first and see my family."

“No, if you suddenly appear, you will become the hot topic in the capital. Even if you go quietly, there is a possibility that word will get out and you will implicate Zhang Peng.”

“I’ve been presumptuous, Master. We cannot walk openly in front of others.”

“If you go out there, you will be providing irrefutable evidence that Prince Rui has launched a rebellion. I don’t think that’s what you see.”

"Thank you for your guidance, Master. If we show up now, it will not only make Prince Rui a traitor, but it will also implicate many soldiers."

"Good that you understand. Zhang Peng, do your 2 men have their own territory?"

“We have people in every state, all searching for our master. We have many outposts, but no territory except for the valleys in the west.”

"I've been thinking a lot these past few days. Do you know Danyang City?"

“I know. That place is at the junction of four countries. There are many bandits there. They burn, kill, and rob. At first, all the countries wanted to conquer it, but they couldn’t manage it. In the end, no country wanted to put their energy into it. Danyang City also became an independent place without a master.”

"Our master wants us to take Danyang City and make it the territory of the Red Guards."

“This is what I’m thinking. The fact that Danyang City hasn’t been taken by anyone means that their forces are evenly matched and none of them are willing to submit to the others. You need to slowly take over this place, starting from inconspicuous places and infiltrating slowly. By the time they discover you, you will be beyond their reach. These are some of my thoughts. Take a look.” Gu Xinyue showed them some ideas she had written down over the past two days.

Gu Xinyue sat and waited patiently. Someone brought over three bowls of porridge and a few steamed buns. They seemed to be very cautious and lived a simple life. Gu Xinyue picked up her bowl and drank, and Xie Yong also drank. Zhang Peng looked at the few pieces of paper.

Zhang Peng was shocked after reading it; he felt he could make a name for himself. He handed the papers to Xie Yong and then slowly drank his porridge.

After reading it, Xie Yong said happily, "Thank you, Master! We have manpower. The auction house can collect a lot of information without being suspected. We need manpower for planting and handicrafts. The academy is a good deed for us. We will transform Danyang City into a military city where people can live and work in peace and contentment."

"Rest assured, my lord, I will make sure that Prince Rui's military regulations are not changed into the city regulations of Danyang."

"I understand that we are doing all this to make the people of Danyang City live a happy life, and we will definitely do it."

Gu Xinyue thought that Prince Rui had a good eye for people; these two were loyal, reliable, and capable.

"I hereby appoint Zhang Peng as the general of the Red Guards and Xie Yong as the military advisor. You two must work together to accomplish this task. The Red Guards are not allowed to expand their ranks before you capture Danyang City. Any expansions will be disbanded. From now on, the people you recruit will serve as your city's residents; do not deceive them into joining the army. You handle the specifics yourself."

"Good master."

"Make preparations today. It would be best if you could leave the capital this afternoon, taking all your men with you. Go all out to take Danyang City. Also, General Zhang, buy a chicken, stew it, and let Military Advisor Xie have some to drink."

"I'm preparing now, and I'll leave as soon as everything is settled. Should I leave a few people for my master?"

"No need, Xia He can keep it." After saying that, Gu Xinyue handed two silver notes to General Zhang. "Take these, there are many places in Danyang City where you will need silver."

Zhang Peng and Xie Yong kept their feelings of gratitude to themselves. At this moment, Gu Xinyue held the same place in their hearts as Prince Rui.

"Xiahe will see you off this afternoon, so I won't see you off. Farewell."

Zhang Peng and Xie Yong were filled with emotion; they had a goal, and their energy seemed to have returned.