Strictly speaking, so-called Chinese medicine is not medicine in the chemical sense. Once it enters the body, it either strengthens the body and expels pathogens, warms the meridians and tonifies qi, dispels dampness and expels cold, or repairs damaged cells. According to different herbal combinations, they interact, with the sovereign and minister herbs working together to awaken the immune system and achieve the goal of treating and preventing diseases.
I washed and dried the cup, then placed it upside down on a tray.
Next, I began to prepare the Gentiana scabra and Lonicera japonica. These two herbs did not need to be decocted; after preparing the correct dosage, they were steeped in water daily.
After finishing these preparations, the first decoction was almost ready.
I took the gauze bag out of the medicine pot and poured the decoction into a basin.
Then, I added clean water to the pot and began to boil the second decoction.
At this moment, a guard came and asked me to go to the inner chamber, saying the General wanted to see me. I turned down the heat, then stepped out, locked the door, and followed him to the inner chamber.
The General was seated on a grand armchair. The Divine Physician was not present; he had probably gone to practice his skills.
Wu Guodong saw me enter and gestured for me to sit beside him, in the spot where the Divine Physician had been sitting earlier, saying he had something to tell me.
I sat down on the chair, and the two guards, understanding the situation, discreetly left and closed the door behind us.
Wu Guodong: "I heard you have connections with the government forces?"
I replied: "You could say so, but they are not high-ranking officials, just ordinary government officers. It's through my elder brother's friends."
He said: "As long as you can speak to the higher-ups, that's enough. To be honest, I am old and want to accumulate some merit. I don't want to engage in any more shady dealings. If you can mediate this, I will retire from the underworld, get a comfortable position in the government, and live out my days in peace."
I responded: "That would be for the best. However, just because you have this idea, it doesn't mean Brigade Commander Chen and the others will agree. From what I know, their ambitions are vast; they want to dominate the world."
Wu Guodong: "That's precisely why we should act on this while they are still hesitant to confront me directly. Once they become too powerful, even if we want to do it, we won't be able to."
I nodded: "It's truly wonderful that you, General, have such aspirations. If you can take the lead, it will be much easier to handle the other factions."
Wu Guodong: "Then, I will trouble you, my young friend, to run this errand for me as soon as possible."
I replied: "I understand. I will handle the contacts. However, you will need to use your wits on your end. While it would be ideal to achieve this without a single shot fired, the situation might not be as simple as we think. It's quite possible it could lead to internal conflict, and if we are caught in a pincer movement, our chances of winning will not be high."
Wu Guodong: "First, you go and scout the path. We will discuss matters here accordingly."
I said: "Rest assured, General, I will attend to it immediately upon my return."
Although the Burmese military government is fragmented and lacks a unified charter, regardless of the faction, they are all in agreement on suppressing the guerrillas. They all want to seize this lucrative territory. Because, no matter who succeeds, it not only adds to their merit but also allows them to absorb the surrendered personnel into their own faction, gaining both rewards and manpower. Why wouldn't they?
In reality, my true concern is Chen Liben and his associates. With the elaborate plan they are currently setting up, if they were to discover the General's intention to surrender, wouldn't they rebel?
I conveyed my concerns to General Wu again, stating that only after securing military power could we discuss surrender and amnesty.
Wu Guodong: "I will arrange this in the coming days. Do you know I have a younger son?"
I nodded, and he continued: "It's time for him to come back."
I had heard that this Third Son Wu was a prodigal son, someone completely devoid of virtue and disinclined to work. What significant role could he possibly play upon his return?
I looked at him with doubt. Wu Guodong burst into laughter: "You've also heard that my third son is a troublemaker, haven't you? That's why this is my final, risky move. It's precisely because of his reputation that he will make his appearance at the very end, catching them off guard and evading their scrutiny."
Could it be that this Third Son Wu is a seed that Wu Guodong deliberately kept hidden? Waiting for the opportune moment, he has deliberately presented himself as a useless individual, leading everyone to believe he poses no threat and thus doesn't require vigilance.
If this is indeed the case, I would be utterly convinced and admire Wu Guodong's strategy.
This is what it means to strategize for great endeavors!
Wu Guodong: "I sent him abroad years ago for comprehensive training, from physical fitness to skills, from command abilities to wilderness survival. He underwent five years of such training in a secret unit. After five years, he graduated with excellent results, and only then did he begin to present himself in that guise—indulging in extravagant pleasures, gambling, and drinking. He was a complete washout. This led everyone to believe my son was ruined." Da Feng Novel Network
I suddenly understood. Sending him abroad for studies meant a period of complete isolation from the world, so no one knew what he had been doing during those five years. After graduation, he changed his image and style, adopting the persona of a prodigal son befitting his status. No one would question it, nor would anyone be suspicious, because he had the means and the circumstances to indulge, and he did so with absolute legitimacy and seamless execution.
Wu Guodong: "Are you reassured now? You've returned recently, and I'll arrange for you two to meet. You two young men can work out the specifics of the operation, and I will provide full support."
Only then did I completely relax. It turned out that Wu Guodong's idea to surrender was a decision made after meticulous planning, not a casual utterance.
Given the military power currently held by Chen Liben, even if Wu Guodong didn't have this idea, his life would be in jeopardy.
Concerned about the Chinese medicine in the preparation room, I bid farewell to Wu Guodong and hurried back.
Fortunately, I had adjusted the heat to a warming setting before I left. Upon my return, I checked the soup in the decoction, and it was perfect for the second extraction.
While filtering the decoction, I pondered Wu Guodong's words. Although the General claimed to be confident in wresting away military power, Chen Liben was no pushover. It wasn't as if Chen would simply hand over control. There would likely be many more battles to fight.
Furthermore, this Third Son Wu was merely Wu Guodong's word; whether he was truly capable or just pretending remained uncertain. Even if he had acquired many skills, it was a different matter from being able to lead troops in battle.
I felt a headache coming on. They say fighting with people is endlessly enjoyable, but indeed, it is the most mentally taxing.
Because I had heard two entirely different accounts, it was difficult for me to draw a conclusion. I would only know which version was true about this Third Son Wu after I actually met him.
I poured the filtered decoction from the third batch into the basin with the first two, added water, and brewed the third decoction.
The third decoction already had very little medicinal potency; brewing it would only increase the volume of the liquid.
Therefore, this batch didn't need to be boiled for as long. Once it reached a boil, I could take it off after simmering for a while.
After bringing the third batch to a boil and preparing it, I poured it into the basin, stirred it, and poured it into the cup.
Just like that day, the Ziheche powder was added last. After finishing these steps, I let it cool for a while, then wrapped the cup with cling film and placed it on the tray.