The Wanli Sunshine continued its journey downstream. The flat-deck cargo ship, having survived its brush with death, also hastily returned to the Xiaolangdi naval base.
The captured Jin merchants were quickly escorted before Bai Yuan.
"So it was Zhai Tang," Bai Yuan said after the interrogation, his expression turning heavy. "Henan is already in chaos, especially around Xingyang. That area is crawling with bandits. Seventy-two groups, large and small. For Zhai Tang's ships to dare ambush us near Xingyang's waters, there is no way he has nothing to do with the rebels."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Golden Thread Dao Xuan Tianzun on his chest chimed softly.
"Several months ago, Lu Xiangheng fought the rebels in Nanyang and seized two cannons from them. At the time, he found it strange. Now it is clear. The rebels already have the backing of Jin merchants."
Bai Yuan nodded. "So that is how it is. These Jin merchants have truly sunk to the lowest depths. Unable to trade with the Manchus anymore, they turned around and sold goods to the rebels instead. For profit, they have no bottom line at all."
The Golden Thread Dao Xuan Tianzun did not bother to comment further.
Some people only saw money and had no sense of right or wrong. Talking about morality with such people was meaningless. Catching them and beating them senseless was far more practical.
The real problem was Henan and northern Huguang.
Rebels flooded the land, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, roaming freely. On top of that came natural disasters, floods, droughts, and swarms of locusts. The imperial court had completely lost control of these regions, and even Gao Family Village could not extend its influence there.
Defeating rebels was easy. Eradicating them completely was another matter.
This was not only a headache for the court. It was also a problem Gao Family Village would have to face sooner or later.
Seeing that Dao Xuan Tianzun had no further instructions, Bai Yuan turned to the sailors from the flat-deck cargo ship.
"These Jin merchants are a malignant tumor. From now on, they can only be dealt with together with the rebels. Once the rebels are wiped out and their trade routes to the Manchus are cut off, the Jin merchants will lose their foundation. At that point, dealing with them will be simple. As for today's ambush, remember it. We will settle accounts later."
The sailors saluted in unison. "Yes, sir!"
At that moment, a soldier hurried in and saluted.
"Report! Governor Fan Shangzheng of Henan has sent someone requesting assistance."
Bai Yuan raised an eyebrow. "Assistance? For what?"
The soldier replied, "Generals Cao Wenzhao and Cao Bianjiao were badly wounded by a rain of arrows during a battle several days ago. Their subordinates rescued them and brought them back to the barracks, but the region has suffered repeated floods and droughts. The land is barren. Even medicinal herbs are hard to find. Many physicians lack proper wound medicine. The injuries of the two General Caos have worsened, and their condition is critical."
Bai Yuan immediately understood. "He wants to know whether we have medicine."
Li Daoxuan had already heard everything.
His viewpoint quietly shifted. Hovering above the barracks south of the city, he activated the focus function and locked directly onto the uncle and nephew of the Cao family.
Cao Wenzhao and Cao Bianjiao lay on their beds, faces pale as paper. White bandages wrapped their bodies, but blood and pus had soaked through the cloth. Their condition was indeed grim.
Li Daoxuan thought to himself that this was clearly a case of wound infection and inflammation, likely progressing toward necrosis.
He had already granted Gao Family Village plenty of medicines. Bai Yuan could handle this situation easily. There was no need for him to intervene personally.
As expected, Bai Yuan soon arrived at the barracks with a military physician from Gao Family Village.
Every military physician from Gao Family Village had undergone systematic training under Madam San. The moment this physician spoke, his voice carried a faint air of mysticism.
"General Cao, I have examined your wounds. Injuries like these are difficult to heal with ordinary medicine. Fortunately, I possess celestial medicine bestowed by Dao Xuan Tianzun."
As he spoke, the military physician took out several bottles and jars.
"However, I must say this in advance. The celestial medicine only aids those with celestial destiny. If your fate is favorable, one dose will be enough. If your fate is exhausted, then even medicine from the heavens cannot save you. Even deities must observe certain boundaries. If the King of Hell insists on taking your life at the third watch, Dao Xuan Tianzun cannot simply fight him over a single mortal."
Cao Wenzhao weakly opened his eyes. "Dao Xuan Tianzun is a celestial deity? Then the King of Hell should not be very strong, right? Can Dao Xuan Tianzun defeat him?"
Cao Bianjiao, lying beside him, immediately spoke up. "Uncle, can you focus on the important part? The bureaucracy of the immortal realm must be just like ours. Full of complicated relationships. Being strong alone is not enough. Just like in the mortal world. You can kill a civil official with one finger, but if that official wants someone executed, you might not be able to save them at all."
Cao Wenzhao's eyes lit up. "Oh? That actually makes sense. You are right."
Bai Yuan fell silent.
Li Daoxuan also fell silent.
After a moment, Cao Wenzhao spoke again. "Doctor, go ahead. A general dies on the battlefield sooner or later. Whether I, Cao Wenzhao, can be healed depends entirely on fate."
The military physician nodded solemnly. "Very well. I will administer the medicine now."
The physicians of Gao Family Village had been using Dao Xuan Tianzun's medicines since 1627. By now, they were completely familiar with their effects, procedures, and dosages.
Scraping away pus. Stopping the bleeding. Disinfecting. Reducing inflammation.
Every step flowed smoothly.
The military physician worked with practiced speed. Before long, the treatment was complete.
The Cao uncle and nephew were both tough men. Throughout the painful process, they clenched their teeth and endured it without a sound. Only beads of sweat formed on their foreheads.
Once the treatment was finished and the wounds were rebandaged, Cao Wenzhao finally spoke.
"Thank you. I feel much better already. Looks like the King of Hell does not want my miserable life yet."
The military physician warned him, "Do not be careless. You still need proper rest. Also, before your wounds heal, your diet must be light. Avoid chili peppers, ginger, garlic, and all kinds of seafood."
Cao Wenzhao replied weakly, "No problem. I do not like seafood anyway. Especially crabs. They are too troublesome to peel."
Cao Bianjiao groaned. "Uncle, this is the Central Plains. Where would you even find seafood? You only need to worry about the other things."
Cao Wenzhao nodded. "That is true."
After a pause, Cao Bianjiao asked, "Doctor, can we have vinegar?"
Cao Wenzhao immediately laughed. "Did the girl you like run off with another man? You are lying here gravely wounded and still thinking about eating vinegar. If the doctor says no, will you just smile and watch her marry someone else? How pitiful. Your uncle will find you a better one later."
Cao Bianjiao shouted in frustration. "Uncle! Can you please focus on the important thing? We are from Shanxi. We cannot live without vinegar!"
"Oh?" Cao Wenzhao pondered. "That is true."
He turned to the military physician together with his nephew. "Doctor, can we have vinegar?"
The military physician felt his head throb violently.
With a sharp click, he snapped shut his medicine box, slung it onto his back, and turned to leave.
"I see you two are recovering quite well," he said coldly. "You clearly no longer need my help. I will take my leave."
"Doctor, do not go! You still have not answered us!"
"Doctor, we are from Shanxi! We really cannot live without vinegar!"