PNB Chapter 423: Encountering a Rainstorm While Gathering Herbs in the Mountains
Chapter 423: Encountering a Rainstorm While Gathering Herbs in the Mountains
On their way back to the city, Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Wan'er were suddenly enveloped by dark clouds, and a howling wind swept in.
"Oh no, Princess, the rain is about to get heavier! We need to find somewhere to take shelter right away!" Fang Xiaoxiao frowned, looking anxious.
Li Wan'er's face was also full of worry: "What should we do?"
The two struggled forward in the fierce wind and finally found a dilapidated Taoist temple.
"Princess, quick, it's over there!" Fang Xiaoxiao pulled Li Wan'er and ran towards the Taoist temple.
Upon entering the Taoist temple, a damp and rotten smell hit the nostrils. In a corner, a disheveled Taoist priest lay sprawled out, his robes stained, his hair a mess like a bird's nest, and he reeked of alcohol.
Fang Xiaoxiao curiously leaned closer and looked the Taoist priest up and down.
Li Wan'er hid behind Fang Xiaoxiao, her voice trembling as she said, "Xiaoxiao, I'm scared. Let's stay away from him."
Fang Xiaoxiao showed no fear, picked up a twig, and gently poked the Taoist priest.
The Taoist priest grunted twice, turned over, and continued to snore.
Fang Xiaoxiao found it boring and threw the branch aside: "This Taoist priest is sleeping so soundly."
Li Wan'er said worriedly, "Xiao Xiao, it's been raining for so long, and I'm feeling colder and colder. What if I catch a cold?"
Fang Xiaoxiao's eyes were firm: "Princess, don't be afraid, I'll start a fire."
After saying that, she began to look for something in the Taoist temple that she could use to start a fire.
The rain grew heavier and heavier, as if the Milky Way had burst its banks, and it continued to fall from day to night.
Fang Xiaoxiao finally managed to start a fire, and the two of them warmed up a little.
"Princess, our rations have gotten wet. I'll roast some dried meat and steamed buns to fill our stomachs," Fang Xiaoxiao said as she placed the food on the fire.
Soon, the aroma of food filled the air.
The Taoist priest, who had been sleeping, suddenly twitched his nose a few times, slowly opened his eyes, and scrambled to his feet, staring intently at the roasting food.
Seeing this, Fang Xiaoxiao deliberately moved the food further away and said, "Oh, the Taoist priest is awake?"
The Taoist priest swallowed hard and said, "Young Taoist friend, have pity on me and give me some food."
Fang Xiaoxiao pouted: "You're a Taoist priest, why aren't you cultivating properly? You're just sleeping here and you still want to eat?"
The Taoist priest smiled awkwardly: "I was just starving."
Li Wan'er, being soft-hearted, said, "Xiao Xiao, just give him some."
Fang Xiaoxiao then handed the cooked food to the Taoist priest.
The Taoist priest took the food and began to wolf it down.
Fang Xiaoxiao looked at the Taoist priest and said disdainfully, "I heard that you can perform rituals to pray to heaven to eliminate epidemics. I think it's all a trick to deceive people."
The Taoist priest stopped chewing and said, "Young lady, you misunderstand. I don't actually know any magic."
Fang Xiaoxiao's eyes widened: "Then why are you still pretending to be a ghost?"
The Taoist priest sighed, "Although I don't know any magic, I do have some medical knowledge. I wanted to heal the people, but no one believes me."
Fang Xiao's eyes lit up: "You know medicine? That's perfect, we're really worried about this plague!"
The Taoist priest said, "Young lady, to be honest, this plague is coming on fiercely and is not easy to deal with."
Fang Xiaoxiao put her hands on her hips: "Hmph, I don't believe there's no way. As long as we work together, we'll always find a way."
Seeing Fang Xiaoxiao's determined expression, the Taoist priest nodded: "Alright then, I'm willing to work with you to find a solution."
At this moment, the rain outside was still pattering down, but the three people in the Taoist temple felt a spark of hope ignite in their hearts because of their shared goal.
Fang Xiaoxiao watched the Taoist priest wolfing down his food and couldn't help but ask, "Taoist priest, what's your name?"
The Taoist priest wiped his mouth and said, "My name is Li Shizhen."
Upon hearing this, Fang Xiaoxiao blurted out, "Li Shizhen? Aren't you the one who wrote the Compendium of Materia Medica?"
Li Shizhen smiled helplessly: "Miss, my name is Li Shizhen, Shi as in 'to execute' and Zhen as in 'to acupuncture'."
Fang Xiaoxiao scratched her head sheepishly: "Oh, I see. I must have misheard."
At this moment, Li Wan'er also came over and asked curiously, "Master Li, why are you here?"
Li Shizhen sighed, his expression turning grave: "The plague in Suzhou is not a natural disaster, but a man-made one."
Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Wan'er were shocked and their eyes widened upon hearing this.
"What? Man-made disaster?" Fang Xiaoxiao asked incredulously.
Li Shizhen took a sip of wine and, emboldened by the alcohol, said, "That's right, this plague originated from the army stationed outside the city."
Fang Xiaoxiao frowned: "The army? How could that be?"
Li Shizhen continued, "In order to stabilize the morale of the army, the general drove the sick soldiers out of the camp and into two large mansions in the south and north of Suzhou. Without anyone to take care of them, the epidemic spread rapidly, which led to the disaster in the entire city of Suzhou."
After listening, Fang Xiaoxiao suddenly realized: "So that's how it is. No wonder the situation is most serious in the south and north of the city."
Li Wan'er couldn't help but cry: "How could there be such a heartless general? This has caused great suffering to the people."
Li Shizhen shook his head: "Sigh, it's all to preserve the army's fighting capacity and protect his own official position."
Fang Xiao clenched her fists in anger: "This kind of person is simply heartless and insane. He doesn't care about the lives of ordinary people for his own benefit."
Li Wan'er sobbed, "What should we do now? So many innocent people are suffering."
Li Shizhen was silent for a moment, then said, "Right now, all we can do is try our best to control the spread of the epidemic and find a treatment."
Fang Xiaoxiao's eyes were resolute: "Now that we know the source, we have a direction. We must make that general pay the price for his actions!"
Li Shizhen took another sip of wine: "Miss, this matter is not so simple. That general commands a large army, and in this chaotic world, it will be difficult for us to contend with him."
In that dilapidated Taoist temple, Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Wan'er were both shocked after hearing Li Shizhen reveal the truth about the plague.
Li Wan'er's tears flowed uncontrollably, her eyes filled with fear and sorrow, her body trembling slightly: "How could this happen? Those innocent people..."
Fang Xiaoxiao gritted her teeth, anger burning in her eyes, her hands unconsciously clenching into fists: "This is utterly heinous!"
Li Shizhen shook his head helplessly, his face full of sorrow, and took another swig of wine.
Fang Xiaoxiao composed herself and looked at Li Shizhen with a determined gaze: "Master Li, since that's the case, we must quickly find a way to control this plague."
Li Shizhen nodded: "What you say is true, but this plague is coming on fiercely, and the treatment method needs to be discussed in detail."
At this moment, the rain outside gradually stopped, and the sky began to brighten slightly.
Fang Xiaoxiao frowned, thought for a moment, and said, "Master Li, we need to go up the mountain to collect some more herbs. Perhaps we can find a good way to control the plague."
Li Shizhen agreed, "Okay, let's set off now."
The three of them packed their things and prepared to leave.
On the way, Fang Xiaoxiao said as she walked, "Master Li, I think we need to find some Banlangen (Isatis root)."
Li Shizhen asked curiously, "Isatis root? What is that?"
Fang Xiaoxiao explained, "I once saw in the Compendium of Materia Medica that it has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, which may be useful for this epidemic."
Li Shizhen became even more curious: "It's quite remarkable that the young lady could find inspiration in the Compendium of Materia Medica."
Fang Xiao smiled and said, "I saw it by chance and thought it might come in handy."
Li Shizhen said thoughtfully, "If that's the case, then there is a glimmer of hope."
They made their way along the mountain path with difficulty, Fang Xiaoxiao intently searching for traces of herbs in the grass.
Li Wan'er followed behind, panting heavily: "Xiao Xiao, I can't walk anymore."
Fang Xiaoxiao turned around and encouraged, "Princess, hang in there a little longer, we'll find the medicine soon."
Li Shizhen also said, "Yes, Princess, we cannot give up for the sake of the people."
Finally, Fang Xiaoxiao found several Isatis indigotica plants on a hillside. She excitedly shouted, "Found them!"
Li Shizhen hurried over to check, her eyes revealing a look of surprise: "It really is Isatis root."
Fang Xiao carefully picked the indigo root and put it into her basket.
Just then, a wild boar suddenly sprang out of the woods and charged toward them.
Li Shizhen shouted loudly, "Watch out!"
Fang Xiaoxiao quickly pulled Li Wan'er aside.
The wild boar circled around them a few times before charging into the woods.
"That was close!" Li Wan'er patted her chest, still shaken.
Fang Xiaoxiao said, "Let's hurry back and work on developing the prescription as soon as possible."
Back at the Taoist temple, Fang Xiaoxiao and Li Shizhen immediately began researching how to use Isatis root to treat the plague.
Li Shizhen said, "How to process this Isatis root and how much to use still need to be carefully considered."
Fang Xiaoxiao said earnestly, "Master Li, if we try more things, we will definitely find the best method."