Chapter 10: Awakening of the Barracks

It is not that he has injuries or is overly weak, but rather that he has been inactive for an extended period, resulting in some stiffness in his muscles. A sudden movement caused discomfort in his legs.

Moreover, everyone connected the dots regarding Master Ye Chen's reclusive nature, thinking that he must possess a Daoist treasure, and that his seclusion in the deep mountains was to avoid calamity. However, his disciple could not endure the solitude and brought the treasure out of the mountains, only to be targeted by unscrupulous individuals, nearly losing his life. Nevertheless, it can be said that Ye Chen's identity issue has been preliminarily established. This also initially confirms that the intelligence gathered from Ye Chen is not a scheme by the enemy.

Ye Chen opened his eyes once more and said, "You all..." However, speaking suddenly became incredibly difficult, and his voice turned into a groan as it reached his throat

Except for Qian Yi and Cao Bin, the others quickly returned to their positions

"Ye Chen! Please recount in detail the process by which you received the military intelligence gathered by the scout Liu Nan," said Cao Bin.

Suddenly, a personal guard rushed out from both sides, responded with a sound, and quickly ran out of the command tent. Immediately afterward, the sound of galloping horses came, and the sound grew fainter.

Cao Bin's eyes lit up as he said, "Please, Mr. Qian, hurry and awaken this young man."

... ...

... ...

This imperial physician is not an ordinary physician, nor is he a common doctor, but rather Qian Yi, renowned as the divine physician of the Song Dynasty. His medical skills are exceptionally advanced, earning him the deep trust of Zhao Kuangyin

Cao Bin nodded, indicating that he had tentatively accepted Ye Chen's claimed identity. The next step was to assess the authenticity of the military situation. As for Ye Chen's mention of salt production, he did not think much of it, believing instead that Ye Chen had discovered a good salt pond rather than a toxic salt pond

Including Cao Bin and Qian Yi, everyone present could not help but reveal a look of realization on their faces. They thought to themselves that this young man and his master were likely extraordinary individuals or masters who were not of this world.

Upon hearing this, everyone’s eyes lit up, and Cao Bin's gaze sparkled with intensity as he said: "Little brother, your thinking is indeed sharp! This military intelligence is of great importance. After I confirm its authenticity, I must report to the authorities as soon as possible and make the necessary arrangements. Therefore, I kindly ask you to detail the process by which you obtained the intelligence and the reconnaissance token, as well as your own identity, to me."

Upon hearing this, Ye Chen was first taken aback, and then his heart was filled with shock. He had heard of the name Cao Bin in later times, known as the foremost general of the early Northern Song Dynasty. As far as he knew, Cao Bin had made remarkable contributions in helping Emperor Taizu of Song to eliminate various states, unifying the Central Plains and the south. Before his death, he had achieved the esteemed title of Duke, and after his death, he was even posthumously granted a noble title of a prince.

Why am I here? Am I still in the Northern Song Dynasty? Could it be that I have traveled through time again

Before long, the deputy commander who had previously visited the Yongle Border City and met Liu Nan arrived at the command tent. He recognized Ye Chen and detailed everything he knew about the relationship between Ye Chen and Liu Nan, as well as the matters concerning the sale of private salt.

Ye Chen was momentarily taken aback upon hearing this, as if he had just fully regained his senses, and only then did he vaguely recall that he seemed to have rushed into the river.

Ye Chen lay on the ground, staring blankly at the crowd, who either stood or squatted, gazing at him with expressions of scrutiny and curiosity

The burly and robust general stopped and turned around, his expression invigorated as he said: "How can I assist you, Dr. Qian?"

This commander is Cao Bin, the envoy of the Southern Court of the Song Dynasty. At this moment, you are within the command tent of our Northern Camp of the Song Dynasty said Cao Bin succinctly and shockingly

He glanced at Cao Bin, then his gaze swept over the crowd, and he couldn't help but be taken aback again. After a moment, a hint of realization appeared in his eyes as he said: "Is this in the military camp? May I ask which country's troops are these?"

At the moment when Cao Bin and others were discussing the authenticity of this intelligence, the imperial physician Qian Yi, who accompanied the Song Emperor on the northern expedition, arrived.

At this moment, Ye Chen's thoughts raced. When he had just woken up, he instinctively touched his chest and realized that the information he had obtained from Liu Nan was now in the hands of Cao Bin before him. However, he was unaware that he had been unconscious for over ten days without consuming anything, yet there was no adverse effect, and these individuals had exerted great effort to awaken him

Qian Yi said: "The general clearly possesses innate strength and should be capable of handling this matter. Hmm... Please have the general restrain this child by binding both his hands and feet."

A personal guard of Cao Bin hurriedly approached with a porcelain cup, helping Ye Chen to sit up and offering him water. At this moment, Ye Chen was still somewhat dazed, but his body instinctively craved water, causing him to finish the entire cup in one gulp. He then let out a long breath and stared blankly at Cao Bin and Qian Yi.

With the administration of these three injections, Ye Chen's body suddenly trembled, and then this fierce general let out a strange cry, flying out with a bang, knocking over two nearby commanders.

"You still haven't stepped back!" Cao Bin said with some dissatisfaction, snorting coldly.

What entered his sight were several heads and faces, faintly visible through the gaps, seemingly the top of a tent, yet at that moment, Ye Chen was unaware whether this was a dream or reality

Everyone was taken aback, and Cao Bin said: "The sovereign, of course, is His Majesty the Emperor of the Song Dynasty."

Upon seeing Cao Bin speak, Qian Yi, who had been frowning in deep thought, suddenly brightened his eyes and said: "I have thought of a method that may awaken this child."

Otherwise, he is likely to have a headache figuring out how to explain himself without being perceived as a monster or an outlier

Cao Bin stared at Ye Chen for a long time and said: "Ye Chen! I ask you, why do you not know who the official is referring to?" This matter cannot be blamed on Cao Bin's suspicion. Since the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, almost all emperors who have occupied the Central Plains have been referred to as 'the official.' In contrast, the emperors of the Liao and Northern Han in the north, as well as some emperors of the Song Dynasty's neighboring regions, do not use this title, adhering instead to the ancient customs of the Han and Tang dynasties, and are only referred to as 'Your Majesty'.

Not long after, upon seeing the lively Cao Bin, Bu Dengqian Yi inquired about something, and Cao Bin, with great courtesy, quickly explained the background, the sequence of events, and the intricate relationships involved.

Give him some water to drink first. Qian Yi's gaze was sharp as he noticed that Ye Chen had not spoken for many days, his throat hoarse, and it was likely difficult for him to speak.

Ye Chen, being agreeable and accommodating, nodded and said: "I indeed have not ventured deep into the mountains during these past six months. As for the salt, I discovered a salt pond near the Yongle border town and refined it myself."

At this moment, he stepped forward to help Ye Chen up, signaling to his bodyguard to bring a chair for Ye Chen to sit down, while asking: "Who are you, young brother? What have you experienced? How did you fall into the river and lose consciousness?"

At this moment, Qian Yi had already taken out several silver needles from his portable medical kit. His gaze carefully swept over Ye Chen's entire body, and then he struck like lightning, instantly inserting three silver needles into Ye Chen, which appeared to be at three acupoints.

Upon hearing the renowned physician Qian praise him for his innate strength, the valiant warrior happily agreed and stepped forward. He first placed Ye Chen's hands together on his lower abdomen, pressing down with one large hand while the other hand, along with the arm, pressed against Ye Chen's ankles.

A bizarre scene unfolded

Qian Yi's diagnosis was naturally very persuasive, and no one doubted the duration of Ye Chen's coma any longer

Ye Chen was taken aback, thinking to himself, has Cao Bin almost become the highest-ranking official among the military generals? How can there still be a superior? He casually asked, "Who is the official in charge?"

Cao Bin, having witnessed the entire process of Ye Chen's awakening, no longer harbored significant doubts in his heart that Ye Chen could be a spy or agent of Northern Han or Khitan.

Ye Chen suddenly recalled a scene from a certain television drama set in the Song Dynasty he had watched, where the emperor was sometimes referred to as "Guanjia," rather than just "Your Majesty" as in most other dynasties

Ye Chen did not dare to be negligent, so he attempted to rise from the stretcher to pay his respects. Unexpectedly, as he suddenly stood up, his body stumbled, and he fell back to the ground.

"You fell into the river and we saved you. Therefore, we are your saviors," Cao Bin said, staring intently at Ye Chen's face.

... ...

Ye Chen was taken aback, steeling himself, and said: "I have heard my master speak of certain matters regarding earthly emperors, where the emperor is always referred to as 'Your Majesty'. I truly did not know of the title 'Official Family' before."

The process described by Ye Chen is quite enigmatic. However, Si Luoyi and Guo Wuwei are both quite renowned figures. There is no need to elaborate on Guo Wuwei, who, as the Prime Minister of Northern Han, wields significant power and can be considered half the ruler of Northern Han. Moreover, according to Cao Bin's knowledge, Guo Wuwei indeed hails from a Taoist background and is a disciple of Zhang Wumeng, the leader of the Northern Taiping Sect. He is also aware of the mysterious disappearance of Guo Wuwei from Jinyang City a few days ago. As for Si Luoyi, he is not an ordinary person either. According to popular rumors, both of these individuals, along with their respective masters, possess extraordinary abilities.

After carefully examining Ye Chen once again, Cao Bin suddenly recalled something and said: "I remember that some time ago, I dispatched a deputy commander to the border city of Yongle to convey secret orders to Liu Nan and his group of scouts. Go and summon this deputy commander to see if he has encountered this young man."

The light inside the tent is not strong, yet the dust from the leaves gives rise to an unbearable sensation, causing one to hurriedly close their eyes and breathe rapidly

"Who are you? Where is this place? How did I end up here?" Before Cao Bin could ask, Ye Chen spoke first, though his voice was somewhat hoarse. His mind was still a bit hazy; otherwise, he would have been able to discern the identities of those around him just by their attire.

In fact, when Cao Bin was halfway through his explanation, Qian Yi's attention had already shifted to Ye Chen. From his expression, everyone could tell that this imperial physician, known for his exceptional medical skills, had developed a great interest in Ye Chen

In the present day, the term 'Your Majesty' is still used, but there is also the term 'Official Family' that has emerged. Hmm... If that is the case, you have never left the mountains for the past six months... you have never set foot in the world... then where does the salt you sell come from?

Ye Chen felt an extraordinarily strange and bizarre sensation at this moment. Having experienced an inexplicable arrival in this era before, he gradually became certain that what he saw before him should be a real scene, yet he remained somewhat uncertain whether he was still in the early Northern Song Dynasty

With the above judgment, Ye Chen generally had an idea. After all, he was originally the one delivering the intelligence, so he said: "Presumably, you have already seen the intelligence on me and Liu Nan's reconnaissance token."

The three individuals were rolling together, yet at that moment, no one paid attention to them. Everyone had gathered around, fixated on Ye Chen.

Ye Chen nodded and continued, "I am a merchant from Yongle Border Town, and I am an assistant at the salt shop where Liu Nan works. My name is Ye Chen. I have lived in the deep mountains with my master since childhood, and I am largely unaware of worldly matters. Six months ago, my master passed away, and after keeping vigil for three months, I descended the mountain and came to Yongle Border Town. I have been living here for half a year and have made the acquaintance of Liu Nan."

Ye Chen's consciousness was like that of a drifting entity at the bottom of the darkest ocean, gradually rising upwards, floating aimlessly like rootless duckweed. His thoughts began to coalesce, and his body transitioned from cold to warmth, until finally, he let out a groan and opened his eyes

Qian Yi first took the pulse, then lifted Ye Chen's eyelids, opened his mouth, and after a careful examination, he frowned and pondered for a while, speaking to himself with an expression of disbelief: "This child has been in a coma for a duration between the 15th and the 19th. I cannot ascertain whether he has consumed any water, but he certainly has not eaten anything during this period"

According to what Doctor Qian said, there is certainly no mistake. However, how can the authenticity of this military intelligence be determined

Qian Yi nodded, then turned to a fierce general who was about to step back and said, "General, please stay; this matter still requires your assistance."

Indeed, for the people of this era, Ye Chen can certainly be considered an anomaly

Ye Chen had long anticipated this and, taking advantage of the previous moment, had already prepared his narrative in his mind. Therefore, he spoke without hesitation. What he recounted naturally differed somewhat from the actual situation; for instance, he did not mention the Tianxing jade pendant still hanging around his neck, but instead replaced it with a treasure passed down from his master, claiming that it had been snatched away by Yu Daoxiang, Si Luoyi, and Guo Wuwei.