Fang Er remained somewhat uneasy. He took advantage of the time to have Huang Sheng drive to the Yangwei Army barracks and bring over a few more soldiers with itchy scalps.
By the time the four burly men were led into the courtyard by Huang Sheng, Old Sun still hadn't managed to concoct a drug that could quickly kill the mites. The fastest it would take was the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. And it wouldn't kill them all.
The four men bowed to Cheng Yaojin one by one.
"Greetings, General. Greetings, Marquis."
Fang Er beckoned to one of them. "You, come here."
The man walked up to Fang Er. "Your subordinate is Xuanyue. Does the Marquis have any commands?"
Fang Er pointed to the stool opposite Cheng Yaojin. "Sit down, and let down your hair."
Xuanyue did as he was told. After he let his hair down, Fang Er leaned in to take a look. His condition was somewhat different from Cheng Yaojin's. Besides the red, swollen bumps, large patches of his scalp were covered in something like snowflakes. It wasn't just him; one of the other three men was in the same condition. The remaining two were the same as Cheng Yaojin.
"Great Physician Sun, please take a look."
Old Sun, hearing Fang Er's voice, also walked over. After examining them, the wrinkles on his face deepened. "I originally thought it was just those insects, but now it seems this is no longer a single cause."
He took a sample of the dandruff and examined it under the microscope. This time, there was a new discovery: countless tiny worms! Seeing them made Old Sun's scalp tingle.
After much thought, he looked at Cheng Yaojin with a heavy expression and said, "Duke of Lu, it seems the situation in the Yangwei Army is already very serious. If we only rely on washing the hair with the medicinal liquid, the effect will be limited. For this external ailment, it is best to apply a poultice, which would require cutting off the hair. I'm not sure what Duke of Lu thinks."
Fang Er blinked. "Cut the hair? This is a major matter!" But he looked at the red roots of Cheng Yaojin's hair and the other four. It was obvious that cutting the hair was the best solution.
Cheng Yaojin was nonchalant. "Cut it, then. As long as this scalp stops itching, let alone cutting my hair, I'd be willing to have this scalp peeled off!" The four soldiers, including Xuanyue, also didn't care. They were too tormented by the itching that had penetrated deep into their marrow!
But Sun Simiao shook his head. "Duke of Lu, this isn't just one or two people; the entire Yangwei Army needs to have their hair cut! Therefore, it's best to seek the Emperor's permission."
Fang Er also nodded. "Great Physician Sun is correct. The entire Yangwei Army cutting their hair together is a major matter, so we should go to the palace."
Cheng Yaojin looked displeased. "My hair, and I can't even decide for myself?" But thinking of the over ten thousand soldiers in the Yangwei Army, he followed Fang Er and Sun Simiao to the palace.
In the Liangji Hall, Li Shimin frowned upon hearing Sun Simiao's explanation of the condition. He said to Lai Yifa, "Summon all the dukes to the hall for discussion!"
An hour later, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Wei Zheng, Li Jing, Li Xiaogong, Chai Shao, Hou Junji, and others entered the hall one after another. Li Shimin gestured to Cheng Yaojin. "Everyone, a severe illness has appeared in the Yangwei Army, and Great Physician Sun says they all need to cut their hair. I want to hear your opinions."
Chai Shao looked bewildered. "Your Majesty, if cutting hair can cure illness, then let them cut it!"
Fang Xuanling glared at him. "Duke Chai, our bodies and hair are received from our parents, and we dare not injure them! Is cutting hair a trivial matter?" He turned to Sun Simiao. "Great Physician Sun, is it truly necessary to cut the hair?"
Sun Simiao stroked his beard and nodded. Fang Xuanling spread his hands. "Your Majesty, then there's no other way. Let them cut it."
Wei Zheng glanced at Fang Xuanling. This old Fang's words were inconsistent. He changed his stance so easily? As expected, those from the Prince of Qin's mansion all stick together. He stepped forward and said righteously, "Your Majesty! We cannot cut it!"
At this moment, an old man entered from outside the hall. "Your subject, Kong Yingda, Scholar of the Imperial Academy, greets Your Majesty. Recently, the Crown Prince has been going out early and returning late, and is not in the palace. His studies cannot proceed. Does Your Majesty have other arrangements?"
Before Li Shimin could answer him, Wei Zheng saw Kong Yingda as if he had seen a relative. "This is a disciple of a sage. Heh heh, I don't believe he'll stick together with you all." He said, "Esteemed Mr. Kong, you've come at the perfect time. His Majesty and we are discussing the matter of the Yangwei Army cutting their hair. May I ask Mr. Kong's opinion?" After speaking, he explained the whole story to him.
Kong Yingda frowned. "Nonsense! This is a great act of filial impiety! How can one dare to cut their hair so easily!" He continued, "Your Majesty, we absolutely cannot agree to cutting hair! Otherwise, it is feared that it will cause public outcry!"
Li Shimin was somewhat troubled. "But the severe illness is spreading within the Yangwei Army. If the hair is not cut, it may be difficult to cure."
Kong Yingda retorted again. "Your Majesty, throughout the land, there are many renowned physicians, and with the help of the palace physicians, I believe that even without cutting hair, the illness can be cured!"
Li Shimin's eyes lit up. "Summon the imperial physicians!" It wasn't that he didn't believe in Sun Simiao's medical skills. What if they each had their own expertise and could cure it?
However, a group of people from the Imperial Hospital arrived. After examining the swellings on Cheng Yaojin's head and inquiring with Sun Simiao, they all showed troubled expressions. One of them said, "Your Majesty, Great Physician Sun's suggestion is the most effective method. If we only rely on washing the hair with medicinal liquid or internal medication, the effect might be limited. Furthermore, as Great Physician Sun said, this illness is caused by countless tiny worms, and it is likely to spread very quickly! If it cannot be contained in time, there may be endless troubles!"
Li Shimin looked at Li Xiaogong. "Prince of Hejian, you are the Minister of Rites. Please speak!" Li Xiaogong glanced at Cheng Yaojin and shivered. It was too terrifying! Just one look made his scalp tingle. "Your Majesty, Duke Wei and Mr. Kong both have valid points. However, at present, curing the illness is the priority. Therefore, your humble servant believes that it is acceptable to cut."
Fang Er stepped forward. "Your Majesty, esteemed dukes, this humble one has something he does not understand. If it is said that bodies and hair are received from parents and should not be injured, then on the battlefield, where swords and spears have no eyes, should the fighting stop?" He continued, "Furthermore, if your own children were afflicted with this illness, would you want their hair, or would you want your children to be well?"
Kong Yingda's face turned red. "Are you perhaps the Marquis of Liaodong? I have heard that the Marquis of Liaodong is eloquent, and indeed, it is so. However, going to battle to kill the enemy is loyalty to the country, and injuries from swords and spears are unavoidable!"
Fang Er shook his head and looked at him. "Are you saying that the daily training of soldiers is not loyalty to the country?" He then turned to Li Shimin. "Your Majesty, your subject requests to find the elderly parents of a few soldiers to enter the palace and hear their opinions. Since Duke Wei and Mr. Kong speak of filial piety at every turn, let them speak for themselves."
Li Shimin's eyes lit up. "That's right!" Whether children are filial or not, parents have the most say! He immediately ordered the imperial guards to find the family members of a few Yangwei Army soldiers who lived in Chang'an City to come.