The dew had not yet lifted when the soldiers guarding the city walls yawned, weary, awaiting their relief.
"Deng... deng... deng."
A troop of light cavalry sped down the quiet inner city streets, showing no sign of slowing even as they passed the market district.
Fortunately, it was still early. There were no pedestrians on the street, and the shops had not yet opened.
As they neared the city gate, the leading cavalry general pulled a token from his embrace.
"His Majesty's urgent decree, open the city gate at once!"
He raised the token high, but his horses did not slow. He shouted the command three or four more times.
The soldiers on the city wall immediately awoke at the sound and leaned out. The troop of light cavalry had already halted beside the city gate.
A soldier held up a torch, recognized the general leading the charge, and immediately bowed.
"It's General Meng! Your subordinate pays respects to General Meng!"
"No need for formalities!"
He handed the token in his hand to the soldier for verification. After verifying the token from the general's hand.
He immediately said, "Your subordinate will order the city gate opened immediately, to not delay General Meng's mission."
He then gestured to the soldiers on either side and also signaled to the soldiers upstairs.
The city gate slowly opened, and the drawbridge over the moat outside was also lowered.
"Apologies for the trouble."
The leading general, after confirming the drawbridge was securely lowered, immediately called to those behind him.
The troop of light cavalry set off immediately and soon disappeared from the soldiers' sight.
"Why the rush? It's only the first quarter of Yin hour," a city gate guard asked curiously.
"Are you tired of living? You dare to question His Majesty's orders?"
Another guard quickly stopped him. He then glanced around, and only when he saw that no one was paying attention to their conversation did he relax.
"I was just saying!" He rubbed his head and quickly returned to his post, daring not to say anything more.
They all knew that such urgency probably meant that the one in the palace was not well again.
This was the third time this month. They hoped for some good news this time, otherwise, they truly didn't know what their His Majesty would do.
However, even General Meng had been mobilized, which indicated how much His Majesty valued this physician.
After all, General Meng was His Majesty's confidant, in charge of the capital's security forces.
They hoped His Majesty's wish would be granted, otherwise, even with the Qi Kingdom's strong national power, it would not withstand such turmoil!
But they were just lowly gate guards; their words carried no weight. Even the Prime Minister's words were not heeded by His Majesty, let alone them.
With a sigh, he withdrew his gaze from the direction the light cavalry had departed and returned to his post.
The drawbridge was raised again, and the city gate was slowly closed. Everything seemed to return to calm, but all the soldiers on the city wall felt the oppressive tension of an impending storm.
In a thatched hut built against the mountain, a group of uninvited guests arrived today. Although they were all dressed in plain clothes, their military bearing was evident in their every move.
They were soldiers honed on the battlefield, who had killed and shed blood. They were a true veteran army!
They looked with surprise at the blooming peach blossoms in the courtyard. Do not blame them for their lack of worldly experience.
It was, after all, the height of summer, and the peaches were already ripe. Yet, this peach tree was still in bloom, appearing quite mystical and awe-inspiring!
This gave them greater confidence in their mission. If something could make peach blossoms bloom out of season, it should be able to cure that person's illness.
Even if not, it could at least bring some happiness to that person, and they could report back to His Majesty.
"General, this should be the place they mentioned, right?"
A guard stepped forward to report. According to the information they had received, this should be the place.
"Hmm, a courtyard with peach blossoms. It seems this is the residence of the divine physician. Go forward and knock."
The leading General Meng ordered the soldiers beside him.
The soldier immediately stepped forward and knocked on the wooden gate.
"Is anyone home? Is anyone home?"
After knocking for a while, there was no answer.
"General, what do you think?" the soldier turned and asked the commanding General Meng.
"Everything in the courtyard is in good order, and there are medicinal herbs drying and clothes airing in the yard. It seems someone lives here. Let's wait by the door for now!"
He glanced at the arrangement of the courtyard and casually ordered.
"Set up camp here and prepare a meal!"
"Yes." The soldiers he led immediately set up camp on the spot, clearing a flat area to rest, and began preparing food.
As everyone began to busy themselves, General Meng sat on a stone facing the small courtyard, gazing in the direction of the path leading out to the world.
About half an hour later, a boy of thirteen or fourteen, carrying a basket, approached from the path leading to the town.
Upon seeing the group waiting by the gate, the boy immediately ran towards them.
"Huff... huff! Who are you people? Why are you waiting at Master's door?"
The boy panted, looking at the group with strange eyes.
Master was a doctor. Apart from collecting herbs and going down the mountain to treat people, he basically never left his home.
And Master only treated poor families. He shouldn't know these people who were dressed expensively and had so many subordinates. What were they doing at Master's door?
"Little brother, are you the divine physician's disciple?" After receiving a nod from the General, a soldier with a kind and gentle face stepped forward to inquire.
"I am our Master's medicine boy. Are you here to seek our Master's treatment?"
The boy looked at the people in front of him, feeling that they didn't look sick. Could it be that a relative was ill?
"Yes, we heard that the divine physician's medical skills are superb, so we have come to invite the divine physician to come out of seclusion and save a life," the soldier said, cupping his fists.
"Our Master has gone to collect herbs. I don't know when he will return, so please come in and wait."
The boy was relieved. Since they were here to see a doctor, there was no problem. After all, they had to beg Master, and they would certainly not do anything to Master.
He put down the basket, took out a key from it, and opened the wooden gate. Then, picking up the basket again, he pushed open the gate and led the group inside.
As he walked towards the peach tree in the courtyard, he softly said, "Zhuozhuo, I'm back!"
Then, the boy asked everyone to sit by the stone table in the courtyard, "Master's home has never had so many people before, so there aren't many chairs..."
He scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed. He had never entertained so many people before!
"It's alright, we'll manage. Little brother, no need to trouble yourself." The General spoke at this moment and gestured to the people behind him.
The soldiers behind him, upon receiving the signal, withdrew from the small courtyard and returned to the place they had been resting.
"Then I'll go and boil some hot water for you to drink!" The boy smiled sheepishly and ran towards the side room that served as the kitchen.