Chapter 9, invalid

This matter ultimately stems from Qin Lin's departure from the city. Niu Dali was dismissed from his position, and his mother fell seriously ill as a result. Upon seeing Qin Lin, he naturally became furious.

No matter how imposing Zhang Jianlan's presence may be, it cannot overshadow the beloved disciple of the divine physician, Master Tai. I do not dare to hope for the favor of this sister disciple, who is as ethereal as a celestial being; just a sweet smile from her is already beyond words!

The sweet wormwood must be pounded sixty-four times to be effective, while beads of sweat the size of soybeans are dripping down Qin Lin's forehead. Lu Yuanzhi attempted several times to take over for Qin Lin, but was stopped each time by Qin Lin's gaze.

At this moment, the apprentices finally realized what was happening and hurriedly put on smiles to rush forward and offer their assistance

After Qin Lin ground the sweet wormwood into a fine paste and filtered out the dark green medicinal juice to bring it to the side of the stretcher, Niu Dali, with tears of gratitude, said: "Little brother, you have worked hard. Although I, a foolish ox, may seem ungrateful, I am not someone who does not recognize kindness. In the future, there will be places where I can be of use..."

In order to secure a better future for her son, Niu Shi secretly took her husband’s small fishing boat to the banks of the Qi River to catch fish, hoping to catch a few plump mandarin fish. Perhaps if the magistrate was pleased, he would overlook her son’s mistakes and allow him to return to the yamen.

Zhang Jianlan heard the phrases "sly little person" and "honeyed words but a heart of a sword". Her face turned bright red, fully aware that Qin Lin was clearly cursing her. As she was about to explode with anger, she hesitated, fearing the rough and reckless nature of Niu Dali, and could only suppress her rage, her teeth grinding audibly.

In a moment, the stars gathered around the moon; some came to support the stone mortar, while others came to take the pestle. Not only did Qingdai remain uninvolved, but even Lu Yuanzhi was pushed far to the outer circle. Only Bai Lian and a few apprentices stayed by Zhang Jianlan's side, and it seemed that two or three of them were eager to try their hand at it. This thoroughly infuriated the senior apprentice, causing him to feel as if a Buddha had descended and another had ascended, his face dark as if it had been scorched for ten years in a cast-iron pot.

Qin Lin nodded slightly, acknowledging that this matter was not significantly related to him. He sighed and said, "It is often said that officials are as greedy as tigers and clerks as slippery as oil. Brother Niu, working in the prefectural office, is indeed too honest and does not receive much appreciation."

Qing Dai listened with great curiosity and could not help but ask: "I understand the three festivals and two respects, namely the Dragon Boat Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the New Year, along with ice for summer and charcoal for winter. However, the Catching Hall Master is just one person; how can he celebrate four birthdays each year? Isn't that a ridiculous exaggeration?"

The apprentices were having a great time when suddenly Qin Lin exclaimed: "Since it is Senior Brother Zhang who wants me to familiarize myself with the properties of the medicine, how can I let his good intentions go to waste? Moreover, Mr. Pang also mentioned that my foundation is weak and that I need to learn and practice more. Therefore, everyone, please hold on; let me do it myself!"

Niu Dali merely chuckled upon hearing this, as it is an old tactic in the officialdom. Director Feng in Qizhou collects money under the guise of wedding celebrations; who knows if his children back in Shanxi are truly getting married? There are even officials whose parents have been deceased for over a decade, yet they still hold birthday celebrations for the old masters, using this as a means to extort gifts.

Qin Lin's arm was already sore and painful, and he grimaced as he was shaken by this bear-like man. After a long wait for him to calm down, he slowly asked: "What on earth has caused Brother Niu to be so furious with me, wanting to shout and fight as soon as we meet?"

From the very beginning, the young girl has been harboring a puzzling thought: how could someone like Junior Brother Qin, such a "coward," have offended a man as formidable as Niu Dali?

Moreover, with the clumsy and stout Lu Yuanzhi standing at the forefront, even if the senior brother is angry, it won't fall upon everyone!

"I’m here, I’m here..." Lu Yuanzhi rushed to the front, laughing foolishly at https://www.hetushucom.com.

Niu Dali stood beside the stretcher, accompanying his shivering old mother. He had intended to take over for Qin Lin, but having just been reprimanded by Pang Xian, he was unsure of the intricacies involved in the mortar and pestle work at the Li Medical Hall. Thus, he could only watch as Qin Lin endured the pain to grind the medicine, feeling both ashamed and grateful in his heart

As soon as the cool medicinal liquid entered his mouth, Niu seemed to show signs of improvement amidst the high fever, letting out a long moan, his lips murmuring as he fell into a deep sleep

Niu Dali chuckled foolishly and said: "Actually, it's nothing much. That day, Brother Qin..."

Before the voice had even faded, the cow on the sled suddenly began to moan: "It's hot, so hot, the sun is so bright..."

After Qin Lin prepared the medicine and treated the illness, Zhang Jianlan's expression was quite unpleasant. Under the accumulated authority of the chief disciple, the other apprentices gradually dispersed, leaving only Li Qingdai and Lu Yuanzhi to take care of the Niu family.

It is evident to anyone that Qin Lin was significantly injured in his arm from the heavy blow he just received from Niu Dali. When Qing Dai lightly tugged at him just now, he gasped in pain. Under such circumstances, asking him to prepare medicine would be deliberately putting him in a difficult position

Qin Lin was deep in thought, pondering: It seems that in this era, without the protection of the officialdom, even with advanced technology from future generations, it is quite difficult to achieve one's own career

In a moment of hesitation, an apprentice who was attending to the patient in the side room approached, his expression revealing a degree of doubt. He stammered, "The patient has developed a high fever, um... it seems... it seems that the Qinghao is not having much effect"

Everyone was taken aback, eagerly trying to please Qingdai while forgetting the main person involved, and they couldn't help but blush.

On the day Qin Lin left the city, he was on duty at the South Gate. In order to decide whether to inspect this "noble young master," he had a conflict with Jin Maoqi from the Qizhou Guard's Left Division and Tu Shu Fu. He was caught and reported to the county magistrate's legal assistant, who claimed that he was reckless and overbearing, fearing that he might offend the noble and wealthy, thus bringing disaster to the county. As a result, he was dismissed and expelled from his position.

Niu Dali felt utterly ashamed upon hearing this, his large head nearly drooping down to his pants.

As he lifted the pestle to pound the medicine, Qin Lin felt a sharp jolt in his jaw, causing his cheeks to draw back. Just moments ago, he had been blocking against Niu Dali, and his arms felt as if they were about to fall apart, suffering from unbearable soreness. Now, as he exerted force to grind the medicine, the muscles in his arms ached and swelled with fatigue, while the impact of the pestle's descent brought a mix of pain and numbness, making it exceedingly uncomfortable

Unexpectedly, just as the heat of summer was beginning to rise, the Qi River was scorched by the sun, causing the heat to rise in waves. The trees by the river were lush, yet miasma filled the air. Mrs. Niu, lacking the experience of her deceased husband, had not yet caught any mandarin fish; instead, she fell victim to the miasma and developed malaria. Had it not been for the villagers rescuing her back to the shore, she would likely have become a water ghost at the bottom of the Qi River

Since Qin Lin himself stated that he wanted to prepare the medicine, others could not dispute it any further. The pestle, stone mortar, and two bundles of sweet wormwood were all placed before him

Niu Dali and Lu Yuanzhi exchanged a glance, simultaneously shaking their heads and smiling wryly, thinking to themselves that although your father, Li Jianzhong, is merely a juren, he is more incorruptible than most jinshi. Do you still believe that everyone in the officialdom is like your father?

Qin Lin smiled and waved his hand: "There is no need for that. Brother Niu is a straightforward man who speaks plainly, unlike those cunning individuals who speak sweetly but harbor malice. If there is anything to be blamed, it must certainly be my fault."

Niu Dali was deeply filial to his mother. Since her condition seemed to have improved, largely thanks to Qin Lin's efforts in preparing medicine and treating her, his attitude at this moment was different from before. He bowed to the three of them in a circle, apologized, and explained the circumstances of the matter

Niu Dali was in a daze, thinking that his mother was talking nonsense, clearly in the main hall of the medical clinic, with not a single ray of sunlight shining in.

Just as Hetushu.com had instructed, Pang Xian had ordered that the medicinal liquid be administered to the patient when the fever arose. Knowing that artemisinin is an effective treatment for malaria, Qin Lin did not hesitate and slowly poured the medicinal liquid into the mouth of the patient, Niu.

Ah? Li Qingdai opened her small mouth in surprise, her suspicious gaze shifting back and forth between Zhang Jianlan and Qin Lin

Niu Dali was overjoyed at the sight, and he called over several companions who had come with him to carry his mother to the side room designated for patients. Turning around, he grabbed Qin Lin's shoulder and shook it vigorously, saying: "Brother Qin, thank you! It was Silly Niu who wronged you and misunderstood you!"

Now that there is hope for Niu, Niu Dali has calmed down considerably. After explaining the background of the situation, he blushed and said: "Actually, I shouldn't blame Brother Qin. I blocked someone's financial path at the prefectural office, and there have long been people who couldn't stand me. Even without this incident, they would have found an excuse to drive me away. Just now, it was my mother's illness that made me lose my temper, and I wrongly accused Brother Qin."

Qingdai shook her head and sighed repeatedly: "Why doesn't the governor take measures to rectify the administration? I suppose he is also a graduate of the imperial examination..."

With the appointment of a new governor, Niu Dali became less favored. His straightforward nature made him unwilling to oppress the good and extract wealth, leading to a gradual estrangement from his colleagues

A sharp-tongued apprentice retorted, "As long as this Brother Niu does not treat our medical clinic as a martial arts arena, constantly challenging us to fights and competitions, then we shall be grateful to heaven and earth!"

As the first disciple, Zhang Jianlan holds considerable authority. Qingdai did not dare to voice any objections to this stern-faced senior brother. However, having just endured Zhang Jianlan's displeasure in the classroom and having recently promised to "protect" her only junior disciple, Qin Lin, she thought to herself: If I cannot even manage this small matter, will anyone still be willing to call me senior sister in the future

Qin Lin was in close proximity, observing clearly: Niu's pale cheeks gradually turned red, his lips were dry as if scorched by fire, his nostrils flared, and beads of sweat dripped down his forehead, clearly indicating a transition from chills to fever.

Indeed, why is that? Qingdai also came over.

Lu Yuanzhi counted on his fingers: "Little Junior Sister, listen to me. The Chief of the Capture Hall has one birthday himself, and his elderly father and mother count as two, plus his wife makes three. That totals four, doesn't it? Celebrating only four birthdays each year is quite self-disciplined. Additionally, there are daughters getting married and young masters tying the knot. Take our Chief Feng as an example; over the past three years, there have been five daughters married off and four young masters married. We don't even know how many children he has back in his hometown!"

Indeed, my family runs a butcher shop. I won't mention the usual monthly expenses, but the tributes to the money and grain officials during the three festivals and two respects, as well as the annual gifts for the four birthdays of the magistrate, amount to quite a sum! Little chubby Lu Yuanzhi felt a pang of sympathy and clenched his fist, saying: "That's why my father wants me to study medicine at the Divine Physician's Institute. Once I become a court physician, let's see who dares to bully us!"

Originally, the Niu family was a poor fishing family by the Qihe River. Niu Dali, with his strong and robust physique, was recognized by the former governor while serving his labor duty in the prefecture. He was promoted to the position of a small squad leader among the local militia. From then on, he could save a considerable amount on food by eating at the government office every day, and he also received a few taels of labor wages each month. Life was quite decent.

Niu Dali's father has passed away, and his mother is deeply saddened by the news. She heard from an unknown source that the local magistrate is from Shaoxing, Zhejiang. He usually enjoys a cup of yellow rice wine, a piece of moldy tofu, and a fresh fish. However, while yellow rice wine and moldy tofu are often available, the precious perch from Qizhou is not something he can enjoy frequently

Without caring too much, she angrily walked towards the stone mortar, pouting and muttering: "Senior Brother Zhang is too bullying, Junior Brother Qin's arm hurts badly, how can he possibly use the pestle? I might as well pound the medicine for him."