The days when I was an obstetrician and gynecologist in Chang'an

Chapter 984 Another Mutation!

(Thanks to He Cha Dan Ran for casting 3 monthly votes.)
“Zhu’er,” Li San Niang looked at Lu Zhu’er, her eyes filled with guilt, but even more so with determination, “Mother must go and save people first.”

You, Da Lang, and San Lang walk slowly behind; your mother will be waiting for you in Chang'an!

After saying that, she didn't hesitate any longer. She didn't even have time to change out of the blood-stained clothes she had just used to save people. She directly led a spare fast horse from the post station, jumped on and mounted it!

Qiu Xiang and Lao Shi did not hesitate at all, and also pulled over their horses, following closely behind Li San Niang.

"Auntie!"

Dewdrop cried out through her tears, "Be careful!"

Li San Niang turned around, took one last look at Lu Zhu'er, nodded heavily, and then sharply cracked her whip!
The three riders, like arrows released from a bow, broke through the dawn and galloped towards Chang'an!

There will certainly be dangers ahead, but no one can stop Li San Niang's swift steps.

Saving lives is the priority!

As Li Sanniang left, Lao Jiu and Wu Niang immediately followed, pulling their horses out of the post station's stables.

Without saying a word or even a brief explanation, the two mounted their horses and followed Li San Niang, Qiu Xiang, and Lao Shi.

Sun Qianshan was a step slow to react. After all, the orders he received from the Ganzhou garrison were only to come and rescue Li Sanniang and the others who had been attacked, and to escort them back to Chang'an.

But what do we do now?
The urgent message, delivered by courier, instructed Li San Niang to travel light and depart immediately, as the Ganzhou garrison was to follow and continue to protect her.

Should we go back and consult our superiors before following orders?

Finally, after Li Sanniang and the others had already traveled several dozen feet eastward on the official road, Sun Qianshan counted ten men, making a total of eleven including himself, and pulled the accompanying military horses. With a exertion of his waist, he mounted the horses.

"Liu Zi, I'm leaving this place to you!"
My brothers and I will go protect Doctor Li first!

The night was as dark as ink, and the stars and moon were without light.

Only the rapid clatter of horses' hooves struck the earth, each beat like a death knell, or a human heartbeat.

Li Sanniang lay on the horse's back, the wind whistling past her ears, bringing a biting chill, but it couldn't dispel the anxiety and burning desire in her heart.

Qiu Xiang and Lao Shiyi flanked Li San Niang, like the most loyal shadows, vigilantly watching for any movement in the darkness.

All three of them had weathered faces and chapped lips, but their eyes shone with an astonishing brightness.

Behind the three of them was another group of people. Closer to them were Lao Jiu and Wu Niang, while further away were the Ganzhou garrison troops led by Sun Qianshan.

From the moment they received the urgent message at the Ganzhou post station, these people had been rushing around for nearly two days without sleep.

Besides providing basic necessities, such as a place to stop outside a post station to change horses and have a drink of water and some dry rations, the only other option was to do so.

They are exhausted, but they dare not stop for even a moment.

The urgent letter stated that Du Qinghui had suffered a severe blow to the head and knife wounds to his chest and abdomen.

Although the wounds to his chest and abdomen had already been treated by military doctors.

But no one dared to touch the head wound.

Time is extremely precious these days, and Li Sanniang dared not waste a single moment!

Since the person behind it was able to organize the first two waves of ambushes, they would never allow them to reach Chang'an smoothly.

"Third Sister, there's an abandoned teahouse ahead. Shall we dismount and rest for a while?"
Our horses can't hold on much longer!

Qiu Xiang shouted loudly, her voice breaking in the wind.

Li San Niang tightened the reins, and the horse let out a weary neigh.

She looked up and saw a building in the distance, its silhouette blurred against the night sky.

"no!"

Li San Niang resolutely refused, her voice hoarse but firm: "The other side is certain that we are in a hurry to get on the road and that there will be an ambush along the way!"
Such places, which are easy to ambush, must not be lingered in!

If we can get through this part, I remember there will be an official post station further ahead!
We'll change horses when we reach the official post station!

Li San Niang knew that at this moment, any sliver of wishful thinking could lead to their utter destruction.

Sure enough, just as they rounded the abandoned teahouse, they faintly heard the sound of more horses' hooves behind them.

"The ghost lingers!"

Old Ten spat and gripped the hilt of his knife tightly.

"Stop arguing!" Li Sanniang said coldly, "Our goal is Liangzhou!"

She lashed out with her whip, and the horse shot off like an arrow once more.

But their pursuers behind them seemed to pick up speed, keeping a close eye on them.

A chase ensued in the darkness.

However, Li San Niang did not simply run away.

After arriving at the official post station thirty miles outside Liangzhou, Li Sanniang changed her clothes and disguised herself as someone similar to Qiu Xiang.

She also borrowed people from the post station manager, finding four people of similar build among the post station's workers and servants.

Regardless of gender, they were all made to follow her example, wearing drab gray clothes, straw hats, and veils, so that from behind, it was impossible to tell who was who.

Thus, after leaving the post station, they split into six teams of equal size, and even their horses were almost identical, selected from the post station.

They continued their journey at a brisk pace, and when they reached a fork in the road, they split into two groups.

This forced the pursuers to split up their forces, fearing that one of the three people at a fork in the road might be the real Li San Niang.

Through their wisdom and willpower, Li Sanniang and her companions managed to gain some distance from their pursuers time and time again, but they were never able to completely shake them off.

The other party's determination and resources are beyond imagination.

On the third day, at the first light of dawn, they finally arrived in Liangzhou. Led by the Liangzhou garrison troops who were there to meet them, they came to a secluded post station.

Only then did Li Sanniang dare to catch her breath, eat some dry food with the cold water in her water bag, and quickly close her eyes to rest.

Suddenly, a series of urgent pigeon whistles came from outside.

Old Nine quickly ran out and returned a moment later with a small copper tube.

"A message was delivered by a carrier pigeon from Chang'an."

Lao Jiu handed the paper roll from the copper tube to Li San Niang.

Li San Niang unfolded the scroll and quickly browsed through it.

Her expression instantly turned extremely solemn, followed by a flash of decisiveness.

"Things have changed."

She raised her head and said in a deep voice to Qiu Xiang and Lao Shi, "General Du's injuries have worsened, and he can't wait for me to go to Chang'an."

The Imperial Medical Bureau decided to take a risk and escort him westward from Chang'an to Liangzhou!

In that case, they will be able to join us in a day at most!

Meanwhile, His Majesty has ordered Liangzhou Prefecture to provide full support and all necessary supplies for my surgery!

She paused, her gaze sweeping eastward, as if it could pierce through mountains and rivers: "We must enter Guzang County as soon as possible, prepare the surgical site, and wait for General Du to arrive there!"

This means that they no longer need to travel thousands of miles to reach Chang'an;

But they had to get to Guzang County in an even shorter time and perform this extremely complex surgery in a county town where conditions were likely even more rudimentary.

The pressure did not lessen; in fact, it increased.

“Furthermore,” Li Sanniang’s voice grew even colder, “the letter said that there are already clues in Chang’an suggesting that the mastermind behind this may be related to certain powerful families whose overseas interests have been damaged.”

Du Qinghui's leadership in overseas expansion has touched upon a huge pie of vested interests.

Some people didn't want him to live, and even less did they want him to continue in charge.

"go!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Li San Niang mounted her horse again.

Target: Guzang County!

However, less than half an hour after they left the post station, as they passed through a grove of trees, another strange event occurred!

Several crossbow bolts shot out of the forest without warning, accurately and ruthlessly targeting the horses beneath them!
Clearly, the people behind the scenes changed their strategy after failing to ambush Li Sanniang twice—their primary goal was no longer to kill Li Sanniang, but to destroy her as a person!
Or you could say they want to ruin Li San Niang's hands!

Thank you Hecha Danran for casting 3 monthly votes.

Thank you so much for your support and encouragement!