Chapter 71 - If You Die Who will He Find to Retire To?
As Tang Yue exited Prince Zhao's Mansion, Zhao Sanlang intercepted him with a pointed question, “Tang Xiaolang, have you completely disregarded me?”
Hu Jinpeng, accompanying Tang Yue to the door, shivered as if he had stumbled upon another hidden secret.
It appeared that the young master of the Tang Family was indeed a compassionate soul, entangled in various emotional complexities.
“What's going on?” Tang Yue couldn't help but feel a tinge of awkwardness in his voice, as if he had been heartless.
“Why do you always stand up for that overweight fellow? You've never spoken a word on my behalf!” It was evident whose favor was more significant.
A sense of shame washed over Tang Yue. “How did it come to this? He's my patient. I'm merely focused on his treatment.”
It was acceptable to deceive others, but even with Zhao Sanlang's limited emotional intelligence, his intellect was not to be underestimated. He grabbed Tang Yue by the collar and demanded, “What's wrong with him? Tell me!”
“Ahem… Let go… The ‘fatty' is unwell! His condition can lead to coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, gout… It's crucial to address it!” Tang Yue's string of unfamiliar medical terms not only startled Zhao Sanlang but also left State Duke Heng and his son, who were standing behind him, utterly befuddled.
State Duke Heng furrowed his brow upon hearing Tang Yue's words. This only strengthened his resolve to reform his son.
Unable to make a decision, he entrusted the task to Tang Yue, believing that Tang Yue would do everything in his power to establish a marital connection.
Ping Shun, in a dazed state, was pushed into this predicament by his father. He watched helplessly as his beloved father distanced himself. Before departing, State Duke Heng remarked, “Nephew, I entrust my son to you. Don't show any mercy!”
Tang Yue was on the verge of tears. Being entrusted by the patient's family felt gratifying. It was a testament to the effort he had invested in Ping Shun.
He rubbed his fists and smiled. “Noble Heir, just you wait.”
The young heir of State Duke Heng, a noble, was gripped by an overwhelming fear, causing him to break into a cold sweat. He made his way to the carriage parked within the premises of Yueyang Marquis's Mansion, where he sought refuge. However, given his size, shrinking as much as he could, he knew it was futile to believe he could remain unnoticed.
Tang Yue returned to the mansion and instructed his staff to prepare the belongings he would need for his upcoming journey. Subsequently, he ordered the removal of the wooden stakes in the yard, only to have them replaced once more. All other arrangements remained unchanged.
“Starting today, you have unrestricted access and dining privileges. Your appetite knows no bounds; I won't impose limits. However…” He adopted a different tone. “We have five days until our departure. During this time, you must adhere to my instructions and undergo training.”
Ping Shun nodded with evident difficulty. Beads of sweat on his forehead descended freely, as he was already fatigued before commencing his training.
Guiding Ping Shun into a room, Tang Yue retrieved three bottles from a medical kit. “First, memorize the contents of these bottles. They contain hemostatic powder, three-seven powder, and lime powder. Hemostatic powder primarily consists of raw yellow and stone flowers. In case of injury and bleeding, apply hemostatic powder to the wound immediately.
“Three-seven powder not only staunches bleeding but also invigorates blood flow, dispels blood clots, reduces swelling and pain, and fortifies your body to resist fatigue. If you expend excessive energy or experience heavy bleeding, consume this powder. Understand?”
Ping Shun nodded, though he couldn't fathom why he needed to remember all this.
Tang Yue noticed his puzzled expression and pulled up a chair, sitting across from him, and began by explaining the impending situation.
“Listen, you're going into combat against adversaries. I might not know how to take lives, but I can teach you basic survival techniques. These medicinal powders are your lifelines in case of injury. Keep them close at all times!”
Ping Shun now comprehended the purpose but remained visibly anxious. “And what's the lime powder for?”
Tang Yue poured out a portion of lime powder into his palm. “You don't apply or ingest this one. It's for incapacitating your foes. When you're in combat, sneakily sprinkle lime powder into their eyes when they're unprepared. If there's time, follow it with a water spray to their face. I assure you; they won't be able to put up a fight. The pain will be their sole concern.”
Tang Yue filled a small cup with lime powder and added some water, then extended it to Ping Shun. He watched intently as Ping Shun hesitated.
“It's going to generate heat,” Ping Shun observed as he touched the cup. Then, a question occurred to him, and he asked, “If we don't have water… would saliva work?”
“…” Tang Yue blinked, then reluctantly nodded. “It seems like it'll have to be saliva in that case.” Apparently, he needed to arrange a portable water source for Ping Shun.
“Lime powder, when mixed with water, generates intense heat, enough to scald the skin. Remember, you must aim for their eyes; that's when it's most effective. Then, capitalize on their blindness to finish them off with a blade!” Tang Yue demonstrated a lethal motion. “Speaking of which, do you know how to kill someone with a knife?”
Ping Shun contemplated briefly and nodded. “Like Wang Zixian, a stab through the chest with a sword, but… what if they don't die?”
Tang Yue couldn't help but commend Wang Zixian. He hadn't expected a negative example to be used as a positive one.
“Don't take him as your model. When the time comes, simply slit their carotid artery with a knife or sword. It's far easier than piercing the heart.” Tang Yue used his two fingers to indicate the location of the artery.
“Will it hurt… like this?” He inquired softly, his fingers tracing the pulsating blood vessels in his neck.
“…” Tang Yue fell silent, at a loss for words. Did it hurt? Undoubtedly. He still vividly remembered the agony of being pierced by a sharp weapon before his own demise.
But what could he do?
A silence hung between them momentarily. Tang Yue comfortingly patted his shoulder and remarked, “In battle, it's often a matter of life or death. Just think about State Duke Heng; he, too, has just one child like you. What if, in your absence, he seeks someone to take your place?”
Ping Shun vigorously nodded. “Then… I'll consider it a sacrifice for the greater good.”
Tang Yue suddenly found something endearing in this young man. If he could only rid himself of his lecherous inclinations, he might transform into an upright individual.
“I'm glad you understand.” Tang Yue instructed him to keep the three bottles of powder close and even tied differently colored ropes around their necks to prevent any mix-ups.
Once he finished with that task, he summoned Shan Shan and had him escort Noble Heir to select a suitable weapon from the 18 available options. It had to be a weapon that suited his style for maximum effectiveness.
Ping Shun meekly admitted, “Noble Heir wishes to wield a bow and arrows.”
Tang Yue couldn't help but suppress a chuckle. He diplomatically responded, “A bow and arrows can be a good choice. It allows you to keep your distance in combat. However, mastering this skill is no easy task. Five days may not suffice for a proficient grasp of it.”
“This Noble Heir's archery is already very good.”
“…” Tang Yue mused silently, “Even though I've offered praise, it's grudging at best. I can't take it too seriously. Your archery skills, well, they wouldn't even suffice for taking down a chicken, let alone a person.” He dismissed the thought.
As Tang Yue observed Ping Shun's dejected demeanor, he smacked his forehead in regret. If he had known better, he wouldn't have casually praised him. He had certainly made a mistake.
Tang Yue tried to recollect the action movies he'd watched. In his mind, the ability to swiftly and accurately eliminate adversaries was a form of knowledge. While he hadn't experienced taking a life firsthand, he had absorbed a fair amount of principles from the numerous films and television shows he'd seen.
When Ping Shun finished selecting his weapon, Tang Yue was nearly taken aback when he saw him brandishing two massive hammers.
“Are you planning to turn people into pulp?” He attempted to lift the two hefty hammers and noticed their considerable weight. It was no wonder the tendons in Ping Shun's hands were so prominent.
“Do you reckon you can handle these?” Tang Yue expressed his concerns for Ping Shun's physical well-being. Despite his robust build, he was, in fact, somewhat overweight.
With considerable effort, Ping Shun managed to place the two imposing hammers on the ground. He wiped away his sweat and explained, “My father uses this type of weapon.”
“Well, if you aspire to follow in your father's footsteps, you should first assess your own capabilities!” Tang Yue managed a forced smile and spoke with warmth, “The State Duke is known for his unwavering spirit. Although you show promise, you're still young and lack strength. This choice might not be suitable for you.”
“Think about it. You'll need to carry these hefty hammers for ten days or even half a month. Moreover, you'll have to lift them to strike your opponents. Can you handle that?”
Let alone enduring this for ten days or half a month, even withstanding it for two hours would be an arduous task.
“Then… what weapon should I choose?”
Tang Yue considered that if a weapon broke during combat, it would be convenient to switch to a lighter and more lethal alternative, like a saber or sword.
He wondered where he could find a replacement if he were to lose his hammer.
Consequently, the Noble Heir ventured out to search for a replacement. He returned before long, carrying two large sabers with him.
Tang Yue sighed inwardly, noting the young man's penchant for pairs. After assessing the weight of the two sabers, Tang Yue ceased to pay much attention to his choice.
“Let's begin with this,” Tang Yue suggested. “Tomorrow, I'll teach you how to recognize the human body's structure. This knowledge will help you target vital areas for faster incapacitation.”
Ping Shun nodded, appearing somewhat dazed. It seemed he was struggling to come to terms with the idea of using a knife to harm others.
Tang Yue remained undeterred. He understood that growth came at a cost. If Ping Shun didn't put in substantial effort, he would be like an old ox pulling a dilapidated cart, forever trailing behind others in life.
Furthermore, Tang Yue had his own tasks to attend to. This marked his first time joining the army on the battlefield. In his youth, he had spent a year providing medical support in South Africa, but that had been during a time of peace, where his only adversary had been illness.
On the battlefield, he not only needed to tend to the sick and save lives but also prioritize his own safety. Even if he wasn't stationed at the frontlines, it didn't guarantee his absolute security.
With this in mind, he had a multitude of preparations to make. He needed to draft a comprehensive list urgently, ensuring the Imperial Court had ample time to prepare. Wang Zizhao had promised him a role as a military doctor, granting him the authority to do so.
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