Saving Lives with Silver Needles

The sunset was no longer visible on the horizon, only the last rays of the setting sun lingered.

The green mountains stretched endlessly, the white mist deepened, and the houses on the ground became dim.

In Bashu, Rongcheng, inside the Hall of Political Affairs).

Cai Shanjun walked to the wall, pulled the rope switch, and turned on the light.

At the large, spacious table, several people were organizing documents, piling them up in stacks.

The cook brought in the food, walked around the large table, and placed it on the square table in the corner.

The aroma wafted through the Hall of Political Affairs. The dishes were simple: a large bowl of mixed vegetable soup, a bowl of pickled fish, and a bucket of rice.

The staff officers were getting impatient, so they started eating from their own bowls.

Liu Yanqi first served a bowl to Cai Shanjun, then scraped most of the bowl out for himself, and quickly picked up a piece of the pickled fish with his chopsticks from the part with the most chili peppers.

"This chili pepper is really well made today; it has a caramelized flavor but isn't bitter."

Liu Yanqi had suffered some injury to his right eye, and when he smiled, his right eye squinted noticeably. He greatly appreciated the spicy flavor of tonight's meal.

Cai Shanjun picked up his chopsticks and picked up a few cowpeas from the mixed vegetable soup.

This mixed vegetable soup is made by first simmering pork bones with meat on them, adding some spices to remove any fishy smell, and then simmering a large pot of it. Once the soup turns white, add cowpeas, and finally add the leafy greens.

This way, the beans become soft and tender, with a savory and meaty flavor, and when eating vegetables, you can also taste the fresh aroma of the vegetables.

Cai Shanjun loves mixed vegetable soup, finding it convenient to make and eat because it contains both meat and vegetables.

Eating a hot meal, with a little soup, makes you feel instantly comfortable, and your mind gradually regains its energy.

He piled a few more pieces of food on his rice bowl, then walked over to a small stool and sat down, taking a look at the map.

Three large maps, pieced together, hung on the wall; some areas were newly marked, the ink still wet.

Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan are now basically under their control.

Initially, under the general plan of the Beiyang Army, the Yi Province Military Government was located only on the southwestern border. Now, its territory is so large that it is increasingly resembling the Yi Province region during the Western Han Dynasty.

Their next plan is to seize control of Shaanxi and then plot to conquer Yu Province.

Cai Shanjun ate while thinking, so he chewed a little slower.

Liu Yanqi had already finished most of his bowl of rice, and then had another half bowl.

"It's been so long since I've had mint-flavored fried pork ribs."

Liu Yanqi said, "The cooks in the mess hall are good at Sichuan cuisine, but I doubt they can make this dish yet. I'll make it for everyone to try in a couple of days when I have some free time."

"I'm not bragging, but although I learned this dish from Brother Cai, I've definitely surpassed him now."

Everyone burst into laughter and turned to look at Cai Shanjun.

Cai Shanjun snapped out of his reverie and said with a smile, "If we're going by the rules of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, I suppose I should say something now."

"Does Liu Gong's preoccupation with such trivial skills mean he lacks any long-term ambitions?"

Everyone laughed even harder.

Liu Yanqi smiled as well, "Having obtained the Origin Canon about Liu Bei has indeed made me more skillful and my martial arts are far superior to what they used to be."

"Back when we were fighting, running around in the mountains, Wind-Listening hearing improved day by day. I could tell what was going on by the wind and avoid danger."

"It's a pity that this Origin Canon can only be used by one person. If only we could make more, like cannons and airplanes, and equip our comrades with them."

"Haha, that's something to be happy about!"

A staff officer nearby mused, "Why not just imagine it? We already have ten thousand aircraft, enough to intimidate the world. Then we won't need to fight at all; all sides will naturally submit."

"You can think about it, you can think about it."

Liu Yanqi said, "Processing documents during the day is too mentally taxing. Now, eating is like dreaming time; everyone can relax."

Just then, an intelligence agent entered from outside.

"Report, just received a telegram from White Horse."

White Horse was Huo Ming's code name. Upon hearing this, everyone gathered around, bowls in hand, to investigate.

"What?! Not only have they found the successor to Sima Yi Origin Canon, but they've also captured the leader and personal guards of the Song-Pacifying Army?!"

One of the staff officers exclaimed with genuine surprise, "Whose code name is this Doctor Chu?"

"Our organization in Yu Province doesn't have many members, does it? When did such a great talent emerge from this area?"

Everyone looked at Cai Shanjun.

"It's him."

Cai Shanjun's face now showed a mixture of surprise and nostalgia. "He wasn't from Yu Province; he was a comrade-in-arms who accompanied me when I returned to Kunming to organize the campaign against Yuan Shikai."

"It's been over a year, and I never expected to run into Little Huo in Henei."

Liu Yanqi recalled, "I've heard you mention him before, wasn't he that miraculous doctor with a great appetite who loved practicing martial arts?"

"Not only did he help you suppress the poison back then, but the medical manual he left behind also helped us a lot later."

"Previously, the underground organizations in Shaanxi reported that there were signs of plague several times near Chang'an, and on one occasion, the disease was cured thanks to that medical manual."

A tall, thin, and somewhat frail-looking staff officer immediately said, "Then we should send a message immediately, inviting Doctor Chu to Rongcheng. We can't let him stay in those chaotic and dangerous places in Yu Province for long!"

Cai Shanjun pondered for a long time.

"Little Chu, he might not want to stay in Rongcheng for long."

Cai Shanjun said, "Since he wants to go to Luoyang, let him go. We can extend our plans in that direction and give him more support."

Cai Shanjun stood up and paced back and forth, his expression solemn.

"I'll dictate, and you'll draft a telegram; you can write it down."

The intelligence officer immediately pulled out a pen from his pocket, ready to take shorthand notes.

The pen tip glided swiftly across the paper, making a continuous swishing sound.

A moment later, Cai Shanjun read the telegram and handed it to Liu Yanqi.

Liu Yanqi didn't take it, but peeked at it once and nodded, saying, "Okay."

The intelligence officer turned back, and soon a ticking sound began to play.

In Chenjiagou, the moon is bright and the stars are few.

Huo Ming sat cross-legged on the truck chassis, a tuned radio in front of him, his left hand holding a headset to his ear.

Chu Tianshu, holding a wine bowl, watched with great interest as Huo Ming quickly wrote a telegram with his right hand.

After receiving the message, Huo Ming put down his headphones, glanced through the text, and began translating.

Chu Tianshu asked, "Aren't these radio communications all encrypted and cracked using codebooks?"

Huo Ming said, "Those with good memories don't need to."

Chu Tianshu also guessed that those with good memories wouldn't need a codebook.

However, for an intelligence agent operating outside, contacting the organization in the middle of the night without a codebook just doesn't feel right.

Huo Ming translated the telegram and said happily, "Headquarters wants me to take these people with me to Luoyang."

"Give me back my contact information so that the underground organization in Luoyang can cooperate with us."

Chu Tianshu asked in surprise, "There are already underground organizations in Luoyang?"

You guys have done so much this year!

Huo Ming understood the implied meaning.

"We are never fighting alone."

"While I was still on the battlefield, perhaps on the same day, a thousand groups of comrades were carrying out their missions in various places."

Huo Ming read the telegram and explained in detail, "Moreover, this group of people in Luoyang already had its beginnings during the Former Qing Dynasty."

"Back then, their core ideology was unclear, and after several reunions and reunions, it wasn't until a year ago that someone finally managed to reach headquarters, hoping to receive guidance."

Chu Tianshu nodded and took a sip of wine.

His bowl contained rice wine brewed in Chenjiagou, sweet and refreshing.

Tonight, Chenjiagou is having noodle soup. Chu Tianshu scooped out some noodles and mixed them into rice wine.

When eaten at this point, it tastes somewhat like sweet rice wine dumplings, but with a chewier texture.

"There's one last sentence, clearly in the tone of the governor."

Huo Ming handed over the telegram.

Chu Tianshu glanced at it.

Doctor, it feels like only yesterday we parted. I hope you are doing well. Take care of yourself, and we'll meet again soon to share a drink and laughter!

"Ha."

Chu Tianshu smiled and looked up to read the entire telegram again.

"I think your headquarters thinks that these people from Chenjiagou shouldn't be used lightly, but it would be a pity to throw them away."

"Taking them to Luoyang would actually be less risky, and it would be a good opportunity to wear them down?"

Huo Ming said, "Yes, once they arrive in Luoyang, they all become outsiders. Whether they choose to side with those scheming local bullies or with a powerful dragon is an easy choice."

Chu Tianshu gazed leisurely at the moon. "The premise is that there shouldn't be any scheming people involved who try to be clever and cause trouble."

Huo Ming looked at the intact car not far from the truck.

Chen Xuewen was imprisoned inside.

"I'll keep a close eye on Chen Xuewen. He deserves to go to jail eventually, but not for taking the Origin Canon text with him."

Huo Ming thought for a moment and added, "The Dadu and Principal Li are experimenting with some things."

"If it succeeds, those who deserve imprisonment will go to jail, and the power that should be used by the world will be used by the world."

He added with a smile, "If you're really worried, once I've contacted and arranged things with the people in Luoyang, I'll apply to take Chen Xuewen back to headquarters alone."

Chu Tianshu, however, began to ponder.

"No need. He might indeed be useful. Besides, even if a living Sima Yi stood before me, I wouldn't necessarily avoid him like the plague."

Chu Tianshu downed the rice wine in one gulp, then casually strode into the village.

"Let me have a good talk with the Chen Clan family first."

He walked through the alleys until he arrived at the ancestral hall.

Inside the ancestral hall, the candlelight shone brightly.

Three bald old men sat in front of the offering table, while the able-bodied men of the clan vigorously rubbed medicinal wine onto their thin bodies.

As soon as Chu Tianshu walked in, the young men and women looked fearful.

A few of the younger ones, however, displayed a strange mixture of reverence.

The old man in the west opened his eyes and caught a glimpse of the reverence and longing on his great-grandson's face, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

The customs of Chenjiagou over the years have elevated the family's Taiji Fist to an increasingly mystical status.

Taiji Fist seems to have completely separated itself from other martial arts, representing not only combat skills, but also philosophy, morality, authority, and wisdom.

The adults and older generation in the village hope to use this to ensure that the young people remain ambitious while also being filial.

Even after being exposed to the outside world and broadening their horizons, they still retain a certain level of respect for the elderly in the village.

But today, all the best in the village were utterly defeated and fell to the ground in front of a Taiji Chi master from out of town.

The scene of pulling a giant snake out of the warlord's body made this man far more mysterious than the old man in the village.

The old man in the middle shared the same sentiment, his voice already tinged with dejection as he said, "Sir, Xuewen has already mentioned wanting the people of Chenjiagou to join the army."

"We old folks would never stand in our way."

Chu Tianshu smiled and said, "Does Chen Xuewen's opinion have that much influence on you?"

The old man in the middle hesitated slightly, then said slowly, "Xuewen does indeed have a remarkable reputation."

Chu Tianshu said, "He cut off his queue, why didn't you cut yours?"

The old man from the west said, "We're just used to it. After all, we were born and spent decades of our lives in the Great Qing."

"Besides, the queue is just a superficial thing. Even though we have obeyed orders since childhood and kept our queues, we have never felt that we, the people of Chenjiagou, are inherently inferior to the Manchus or foreigners."

Chu Tianshu said, "In short, it shows that Chen Xuewen doesn't have a significant influence on you. Otherwise, if you don't care in your hearts, why not change your appearance as well?"

"I want you to work with me, but I need you to have your own motivation, and not just be influenced by others or swayed by bad habits."

The three old men looked at each other.

"Sir, are you also going to talk about those outsiders' ideas of reforming people's thinking?"

The old man from the west said, "Forgive my frankness, but the three of us are merely old men. If we listen perfunctorily and do not truly accept the teachings, I fear it will only displease you, sir."

"If you're going to say these things, you should say them more to the younger generation."

Chu Tianshu raised his left hand, and with his fingertips he produced a pinch of silver needles, which he unfolded like a folding fan.

"I was originally a doctor; improving health is the first step."

"The motivation I want to give you also comes first and foremost from your physical body."

Chu Tianshu glanced at the three of them and said calmly, "The three of you are old enough to need a medicinal bath every two days, so you can't stay away from Chenjiagou for long."

Even so, your energy is gradually waning, and you have at most two or three years left to live.

"Patching the leak while it's still leaking is ultimately just self-inflicted trouble, and the results are naturally minimal, unless you can seal the leak completely first..."

The three old men understood what was going on, and their hunched backs straightened up without them even realizing it.

The old man on the west side stared wide-eyed and said in a trembling voice, "Sir, do you have a way to remedy this?"

Bite!!

A silver needle landed on the old man's brow.

The boy beside him, seeing the old man's body suddenly stiffen, had a strange thought.

The three old men actually already had an old-age smell about them, which was sometimes difficult to cover up even with the smell of medicine, but they themselves seemed unaware of it.

Like clay and wooden puppets in a temple, they accumulate dust year after year and gradually decay.

Thinking that by imitating the appearance of the god revered by the masses, one can still be majestic and guide people to the right path, one does not realize that one is merely a clay figure, and even if the right path one points out is well-intentioned, it will still have ashes.

At this moment, the old man was immobilized by a silver needle, his body stiff as a clay figure.

But his eyes shone even brighter.

It's as bright as a person.

(End of this chapter)