Reborn Liu Bei: I'll lead this Three Kingdoms to victory!

February 17th, the sixth year of Jian'an, west of Xiangping City, at the Medical College.

When Hua Tuo pushed open the door to the ward, Sima Yi was already awake. The young man was leaning against the couch, his chest wrapped in thick bandages—the wound from the broken hull of the ship when it capsized, deep enough to expose the bone, but Hua Tuo used a newly developed "hemostatic powder" and catgut sutures, and he recovered faster than expected.

"Don't move." Hua Tuo pressed down on Sima Yi, who was about to get up and bow. "The wound has just healed. If it reopens, I'll have to stitch it up again—you don't mind the pain, but I do mind the waste of thread."

Sima Yi obediently lay back down, but his gaze fell on the two young men behind Hua Tuo. One was about twenty years old, with a thin face, and was carrying a large medicine chest on his back; the other was only fifteen or sixteen years old, holding a copper basin in his hands, with steam rising from the hot water inside.

"This is Wu Pu, my eldest disciple," Hua Tuo said, pointing to the older one. "That's Fan A, my youngest disciple. From today onwards, they will be responsible for taking care of you and the wounded man next door."

"Thank you for your trouble." Sima Yi nodded.

Wu Pu stepped forward to examine the wound, skillfully unwrapping the bandage. The wound was healing well, only the edges were a little red. "It's a bit swollen, you need to change the dressing." He turned and took out several porcelain bottles from his medicine box, then said to Fan A, "Go and brew a bowl of Bupleurum Decoction, add three qian of Coptis."

Fan A responded and left.

Sima Yi watched Wu Pu prepare the ointment and suddenly asked, "Mr. Wu, how is the epidemic situation in the city?"

Wu Pu paused, looked up at him, and asked, "You've heard?"

"While I was in a deep sleep yesterday, I heard wailing outside," Sima Yi said calmly. "And not just in one place."

Hua Tuo sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed: "It's typhoid fever. It was brought in from among the refugees, and seventeen of them have already died. Five of them died yesterday alone."

"Can it be controlled?"

"It's difficult." Hua Tuo shook his head. "The refugees gather here, sleeping side by side. If one person gets infected, the whole family will be infected. I have already ordered the prefect's office to isolate the infected people separately, but... some people are afraid of being abandoned, so they hide it and don't say anything. By the time it's discovered, it's too late."

Sima Yi paused for a moment, then asked, "What does Mr. Hua need? Manpower? Medicine?"

"We need them all." Hua Tuo smiled wryly. "The medical school has only been open for half a year and has only fifty students, which is far from enough. Medicinal herbs are even more scarce, especially the main herbs such as Bupleurum, Scutellaria, and Coptis—they are not produced in Liaodong and have to be transported from the south."

Just then, footsteps came from outside the door.

Zhuge Liang pushed open the door and entered, holding a scroll of names in his hand. The thirteen-year-old boy had dark circles under his eyes, clearly having stayed up all night as well.

"Mr. Hua, the student statistics are complete." He handed over the list. "Among the refugees, 374 people have developed fever symptoms, of whom 121 have been diagnosed with typhoid fever. As you instructed, 43 severe cases have been transferred to the Xicheng quarantine area, while the mild cases are still under observation at their original shelters."

Hua Tuo quickly flipped through the roster, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper: "The mortality rate is almost 30%... No, we have to change the treatment method."

"Does the sir have a new prescription?"

"It's not a new prescription, but a modified version of an ancient one." Hua Tuo stood up. "There's a 'Ma Huang Sheng Ma Tang' in the *Shang Han Za Bing Lun* (Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases). I'd like to try adding gypsum and anemarrhena. But the stock of gypsum is limited..."

Zhuge Liang immediately replied, "I have already sent people to various pharmacies to purchase the medicines, and I have also ordered caravans to urgently procure them from Jiangdong. The first batch should arrive within three days."

"Three days..." Hua Tuo closed his eyes and calculated, "It's enough time, it should be enough time."

Sima Yi suddenly spoke up: "Young Master, what are the lord's plans?"

Zhuge Liang turned to him, his expression serious: "This morning, our lord ordered a city-wide curfew. Quarantine posts have been set up at all refugee settlements; those entering and leaving must wash their hands with disinfectant and change clothes. People within the city are not allowed to gather, and the academy is temporarily closed. Furthermore..."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Our lord has instructed the medical school to take the lead in compiling a 'Prevention and Control Handbook,' which must be simple and easy to understand so that literate people can follow the instructions. Mr. Hua is in charge of this task, with his students assisting."

Hua Tuo's eyes lit up: "This is a great act of kindness! If every household knows how to prevent disease, how can we not control the epidemic?"

"Therefore, the student has come to invite the teacher to go to the Governor's Mansion this afternoon to discuss the details."

"well!"

Zhuge Liang then looked at Sima Yi: "Brother Zhongda, the lord has instructed you to take good care of your injuries and discuss rewards after you have fully recovered. Also..." He took out a secret letter from his sleeve, "This is from Military Advisor Xu."

Sima Yi accepted it. The letter was thin, containing only two lines of text:

"The Grey Sparrow has been located in Ye City. There has been a change in the Fu Shou line; Xun Chen has been placed under house arrest. Do not move for now; await orders."

He lit the letter on the oil lamp and watched it turn to ashes.

"Young Master," Sima Yi looked up, "Please pass on a message to our lord: My injuries are not serious, and I can move around in three days. As for Fu Shou's matter... I am responsible."

Zhuge Liang frowned: "But your injury..."

"Just a superficial wound," Sima Yi said calmly. "Fu Shou is only eight years old. Every day she stays in Cao Cao's hands increases her danger. Besides..." He looked out the window, "If we can't even rescue a little girl, what will the scholars of the world think?"

The boy was speechless.

In the afternoon, in the council chamber of the Governor's Office.

The charcoal fire burned brightly, but the atmosphere in the hall was heavy. I, Xu Shu, Tian Yu, Hua Tuo, Zhuge Liang, and I sat around a large map of Xiangping's defenses spread out on the table, marked with more than a dozen red dots in cinnabar—all of which were areas where the epidemic had broken out.

"The western part of the city is the most severely affected, followed by the eastern part, with sporadic cases in both the northern and southern districts." Tian Yu pointed to the map. "According to Mr. Hua, typhoid fever is transmitted through drinking water, food, and contact. Migrants often share the same well and cook together, so one person can infect many others."

Hua Tuo added: "There is another problem: the handling of the body. According to custom, the body should be kept in state for three days before burial. But in this cold weather, the body decomposes slowly, while the living continue to contract diseases—I suggest that in extraordinary times, extraordinary measures should be taken."

"What do you mean, sir?"

"Those who die from the disease should be cremated on the same day," Hua Tuo said decisively. "The ashes should be placed in urns, recorded in a register, and then buried in a unified manner after the epidemic is over. Although it is disrespectful to the dead, it can save lives."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Tian Yu hesitated: "This... might invite criticism. The common people value a peaceful burial..."

"Then I'll go and say it," I said. "Issue a proclamation in my name: the government will provide financial assistance to the families of all those who die from the epidemic, and promises to build a 'community cemetery' after the epidemic, with a unified monument for worship. But the bodies must be cremated—this is a military order, and those who disobey will be expelled from Liaodong."

Xu Shu took notes, then asked, "How will the food supply in the quarantine area be guaranteed? The food shortage hasn't been resolved yet, and now there's the epidemic..."

"Deduct it from my salary." I waved my hand. "First, ensure that patients have two meals of thick porridge a day, and medical staff have three meals a day. Also, shut down Zhang Fei's winery and donate all the stored grain—tell him that I will repay him tenfold after the epidemic is over."

Zhuge Liang suddenly said, "Teacher, I have a plan that may alleviate the food shortage."

"explain."

"I've checked the old records. The previous dynasty established 'Ever-Normal Granaries' in Liaodong, which bought grain in good years and distributed it in bad years. Although we don't have any grain stored now, we can 'borrow' grain from the people—by writing IOUs and promising to repay it after the autumn harvest with a 30% interest rate." The young man's thinking was clear. "At the same time, we encourage the people to pick wild vegetables, fish, and hunt. The government will buy these mountain and sea products at market prices and then sell them to the displaced people at a fair price. This way, we can alleviate the food shortage without making the people suffer losses."

I nodded approvingly: "Approved. You'll handle this overall, with Tian Yu assisting."

"promise."

The meeting lasted until late afternoon. Just as it ended, a personal guard reported: "My lord, Mi Fang requests an audience, saying... he has important matters to discuss."

I rubbed my temples: "Let him in."

When Mi Fang entered, his face was pale and his steps were unsteady. He immediately knelt down upon seeing her: "My lord! I...I deserve to die!"

"What is it?"

"I...I..." Mi Fang stammered, pulling an account book from his robes. "The other day, during the fundraising, I...I concealed the grain reserves. There are actually three thousand shi of grain at home that I haven't reported, hidden in the cellar of my villa outside the city..."

I stared at him.

Mi Fang kowtowed repeatedly, his head thumping loudly: "I deserve to die! But... but my son contracted typhoid fever yesterday, and it was Mr. Hua's apprentice who treated him overnight and saved his life... I am filled with remorse! I am willing to donate all three thousand shi of grain, without taking a single penny! I only beg my lord... to spare my life!"

The hall was so quiet that you could hear the crackling of the charcoal fire.

After a long silence, I slowly asked, "Where's the food?"

"It's...it's already been transported to the Xicheng quarantine area..."

"Get up." I sighed. "It's good that you can repent. But a mistake is a mistake—the government will give you the three thousand bushels of grain at market price as payment, which is considered a purchase. But you concealed it, and according to the law, you should be punished... You will be responsible for the grain distribution in the western city quarantine zone. If there is even the slightest mistake, you will be punished for both crimes."

Mi Fang was stunned: "My lord, you won't kill me?"

"Your grain can save thousands of lives; that's a great deed." I waved my hand. "Make amends for your mistake with this act of kindness. Remember, if it happens again, I will not let you off easily."

"Thank you, my lord! Thank you, my lord!" Mi Fang kowtowed several more times, practically crawling out of the house.

Xu Shu frowned: "My lord, such lenient treatment may not win over the people..."

"These are extraordinary times, and we need the right people," I said. "The Mi family has deep-rooted influence in Liaodong. Killing them would be easy, but it would trigger a chain reaction. With the epidemic raging, stability is the top priority."

Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

A scout covered in dust rushed in and knelt on one knee: "My lord! There's news about Miss Fu Shou!"

My heart skipped a beat: "Speak!"

"After Xun Chen was placed under house arrest, Fu Shou was transferred to a manor in Yangdi, Yingchuan, and guarded by Xun Yu's cousin, Xun Ji. The guards were lax, with only twenty household soldiers. But..." The scout paused, "Yesterday, Cao Ren sent a troop of soldiers there, saying they wanted to 'take over.' The leader was Cao Tai, the same man who was chasing Sima Jun."

"When will you arrive?"

"As early as tomorrow afternoon."

I quickly calculated: even at top speed, it would take five days to travel from Xiangping to Yangdi. There wasn't enough time.

"My lord," Xu Shu said in a low voice, "we still have men in Yingchuan, but not many. We definitely can't just take them by force..."

"Then let's outsmart him." I got up and walked to the map, pointing to Yingchuan. "Cao Tai is young and ambitious, always eager for quick success. He'll definitely make a big show of 'taking over' this time—this is our chance."

"You mean...?"

"Send a small elite squad, disguised as Cao Cao's troops, to reach the manor ahead of us." I turned to the scout. "Do you understand the manor's exact location, layout, and the rotation schedule?"

"Understood! The scouts have figured it out."

"Alright." I looked at Xu Shu. "Have Zhao Yun select fifty of the most skilled men and set off immediately. Bring along a replica of the Imperial Seal of the State—say it's a secret order from Cao Cao to transfer important prisoners. By the time Cao Tai arrives, they'll be long gone."

Xu Shu's eyes lit up: "Brilliant plan! But...who will lead the team? Zilong has to guard Youzhou, he can't leave..."

"I'll go."

A voice came from the doorway.

Sima Yi stood leaning against the doorframe, his face still pale, but his eyes as sharp as ever. Wu Pu, behind him, urged anxiously, "Your injuries haven't healed yet; you can't get out of bed!"

"It's alright." Sima Yi walked in step by step and knelt on one knee in front of me. "My lord, I am familiar with Cao Tai's style of doing things, and I also know Xun Ji—I met him a few times in Xuchang. I am the most suitable person to lead the team."

I looked at this seventeen-year-old boy.

Blood seeped through the bandages on his chest, but his spine remained ramrod straight.

"Your injury..."

"It's just a superficial wound, nothing serious." Sima Yi looked up. "I've calculated it; it's a five-day journey. If we ride slowly, the wound won't reopen. Besides... Fu Shou is a task I haven't finished, and I should see it through to the end."

The hall was silent.

Zhuge Liang couldn't help but speak up: "Teacher, Brother Zhongda's injuries have not yet healed, this journey will be dangerous..."

"It is precisely because of the danger that we need someone familiar with the situation to go," Sima Yi said calmly. "I have already failed once; I cannot afford to fail a second time."

I stared at him for a long time.

"Okay." I finally nodded. "But you have to promise me three things."

"Please speak, my lord."

"First, take Wu Pu with you—he is a disciple of Hua Tuo and will take care of your injuries along the way."

"Secondly, if things become unmanageable, retreat immediately; do not act recklessly."

"Third..." I walked up to him, helped him up, "come back alive. I want a complete Sima Zhongda, not a martyr."

A flicker of emotion crossed the boy's eyes, and he bowed deeply: "Student...yes."

Half an hour later, fifty riders assembled in front of the governor's mansion.

Sima Yi had changed into light armor, covered by a black cloak in the style of Cao Cao's army. Wu Pu, carrying a medicine chest, was also on horseback—he had originally been reluctant to go, but Hua Tuo said, "A doctor should save lives and heal the wounded, and the battlefield is also a place to save lives," so he reluctantly agreed.

I personally handed the reins to Sima Yi: "Remember, Fu Shou must be saved, and you must live as well."

"The student understands."

Just as the group was about to set off, Zhuge Liang suddenly ran out of the mansion, holding a small wooden box in his hands.

"Brother Zhongda, take this with you."

Sima Yi took it and opened it—inside were several dark, medicinal-smelling objects.

"This is a 'Military Powder' prepared by Mr. Hua using ephedra, cinnamon twigs, licorice, and other ingredients. Take it by the mouth when you have fever and chills," Zhuge Liang said earnestly. "Also, there are three 'Life-Saving Pills' at the bottom of the box. Dissolve them in water and take them if you are seriously injured. They can keep you alive for three days."

Sima Yi solemnly accepted the gift: "Thank you."

"And..." the boy lowered his voice, "My lord told me to tell you that the scouts of Yingchuan will cooperate fully. The code word is: 'Is the wheat in Yingchuan ripe?' The answer is: 'Yes, it's ripe, but it's been damaged by the rain.'"

"I've got it."

Sima Yi mounted his horse and turned it around. Fifty riders charged out of the city gate like arrows released from a bow, disappearing into the twilight.

I stood on the city wall and watched them depart into the distance.

Xu Shu stood beside him and said softly, "My lord, are you really comfortable sending a wounded soldier?"

"I'm worried," I confessed, "but there are some things he has to do."

"Because of guilt?"

"Because of responsibility." I looked south. "Only someone who is willing to risk their life for unfulfilled responsibilities is worthy of being entrusted with important matters."

The night is getting darker.

The sound of chanting emanated from the western quarantine zone—it was Zheng Xuan leading the academy's teachers in performing a ritual for the deceased. The firelight illuminated the snow-covered ground, creating a solemn atmosphere.

Further south, fifty riders were galloping swiftly through the snow.

They were going to rescue a little girl.

We must also try to save this era, with the last shred of our conscience.