Chapter Forty-Six: The Uses of the Prescription

“Should we just stand by and watch these patients die, refusing to help?”
But things are not so simple.
“I can do this favor for you, but I don’t want money. All I ask is that, when the time comes, you help promote our future Han's Apothecary at certain gatherings.”
What?
Physician Zhang’s eyes widened in shock.
“Are you joking? Why suddenly open a medical hall? Will the locals even be willing to come to you?”
The old man looked puzzled.
But these were questions he had already considered.
“That’s why I said, it’s just a favor for the future, not something for the present.”
He nodded, treating it as a young man’s idle banter.
The prescription was given to him as a gift.
It made Physician Zhang feel proud—after all, he was now the only one in North County City able to cure goiter.
But since the idea had been raised, he couldn’t help but ponder it further.
Especially in North County City, where even simple ailments like headaches and fevers often dragged on until they became fatal.
It truly drove some common folk to the brink of despair.
They lived in poverty all their lives, only to depart in suffering at the end.
On this day at home, he received an invitation.
From the Zhao family of Longnan.
Perhaps it was because he had solved a case for them last time, and now they wished to draw him closer.
It was understandable.
Han Qing paid little mind to it; the Zhao family’s business was mainly in silk, and had no connection to him.
Besides, he disliked those gatherings of vanity, drinking and feigning merriment.
For him, offering hollow compliments was a struggle.
Yet some people delighted in forging connections.
Young Master Zhu eagerly came over, all for the matter of the Zhao family.
“Brother Han, it’s Old Master Zhao’s sixtieth birthday. It’s only right for us juniors to go and celebrate. What’s wrong with that?”
“But we aren’t familiar with the Zhao family. Going would feel forced.”
Just because someone invites you doesn’t mean you must attend.
One must consider the timing, too.
“You overthink it. They sent you a personal invitation because they admire your talent.”
Young Master Zhu spoke with enthusiasm.
Why always refuse to honor others?
Surely, the host would feel displeased.
“But there’s someone who’s sure to attend—aren’t you curious?”
Ouyang Wenxuan?
“His status is unique. If he values a merchant, that household is certainly noteworthy.”
Enough said.

He relented.
Perhaps some other merchants might bring him unexpected surprises.
When Old Master Zhao’s birthday arrived,
everyone who attended was either wealthy or of high status.
Most were from the gentry, with hardly a scholar present.
Those types always believed their integrity unbreakable and disdained merchants.
But Han Qing was not like them.
He participated, understanding the subtleties involved.
How could there be a true division between noble and base?
“Brother Han, after the previous misunderstandings, I thought you wouldn’t show.”
He greeted him with a joyful face.
“Since Brother Zhao has invited me, how could I not come?”
He replied directly, sparing the host embarrassment.
Some things are best left at that.
The Zhao residence was grand, resplendent and dazzling.
“Look, nearly all the merchants of North County City are here, except for the Bai family.”
“The two families are sworn enemies, so their absence is expected.”
If they had come, the hosts wouldn’t have believed it.
Casual conversation flowed.
He brought calligraphy and collected glass jade cups as gifts.
These were respectable offerings.
After all, in most people’s eyes, he was still just a scholar and needn’t present anything extravagant.
Old Master Zhao saw so many gathered to celebrate him and beamed with joy.
He was about to speak,
when suddenly he collapsed.
“Grandfather!”
Zhao’s son hurried forward in panic to support him.
“Quick, notify the physicians, have them come at once!”
His voice betrayed his anxiety.
Everyone in the hall looked at each other in confusion; what was meant to be a happy occasion had suddenly turned grim.
“How unpredictable life is! I was just envying his robust health at such an age,”
Young Master Zhu lamented.
Then he noticed Han Qing was gone.
“Don’t try to lift him—let Old Master Zhao lie flat right here.”
Han Qing intervened in time.
The Zhao family, hearing his words, was displeased.
“Who are you?”

“I am Han Qing. Old Master Zhao has suddenly fainted. His bodily functions have not yet recovered, so it would be reckless to move him.”
His words were not wrong.
Yet few in the courtyard wanted to listen.
“Master Han, I respect your intellect, but this should be left to professional physicians. Don’t you see our old master has lost consciousness?”
Zhao’s son was now somewhat irked.
Why meddle so freely?
Han Qing saw his advice falling on deaf ears and said no more.
He had already spoken up; if they refused to heed him, it was no concern of his.
But Young Master Zhu, having heard, immediately went to intervene.
“I apologize—he’s read too many books, sometimes he blurts things out before thinking.”
He hurried to smooth things over.
If they aggravated the Zhao family, there would be trouble.
After about a quarter of an hour, two or three physicians rushed in.
Each took his pulse.
All shook their heads.
“Old Master Zhao is elderly and requires extra care. But after this unfortunate fall, we cannot guarantee how much time he may have left.”
One physician spoke tactfully.
Yet the meaning was clear.
Whether he regains consciousness depends on fate, and his bodily functions are nearly all damaged.
“Both of us have examined him, and even with our best efforts, we cannot promise anything.”
This...
Zhao’s son could hardly believe it. Just a moment ago, his father was fine and chatting with them.
How could he suddenly be on the verge of death?
Meanwhile, Han Qing waited outside in the courtyard,
his expression calm.
“I wonder how things are inside?”
“Most likely, he won’t last long. There was still a chance, but after that sudden movement, it’s uncertain whether the old master can withstand it.”
Han Qing spoke casually.
After all, no one believed him.
He had done his duty by warning them.
Soon, they would leave.
But these words reached the ears of Zhao’s son.
“You mean to say, Grandfather can still be saved?”