Chapter 4, Mother

As the saying goes, illness comes like a mountain collapsing, and recovery is like pulling silk.

Ling County is a small place, but no matter how small it is, it has all the essential facilities. There are restaurants, private schools, and academies, all of which are available, and there is even a martial arts training ground where the county's constables and officers come to practice their martial arts and boxing.

Because it is a small town, even the city walls are made of earth, mixed with weeds and yellow soil. Year-round exposure to wind and sun has caused the grass and fluff inside to become exposed. In some areas, parts have even collapsed, leaving behind what resembles a solitary large mound of earth. On ordinary days, some boys from families who cannot afford to attend school can be seen here making a racket, climbing up and down, filled with joy.

Previous events have proven that the occurrences in dreams can manifest in reality; thus, the renewed Chu Xian will not allow the tragedies of dreams to recur

However, now, after thirty years of dreaming, Chu Xian's heart has changed in the dream of the Eastern Mount Lord. At this moment, he merely smiles and walks towards his own small courtyard in the eastern alley of this earthen city.

For this reason, in the second year of the dream, Chu Xian did not pass the provincial examination due to his longing for his mother. It was not until the third year, after he resolved to work hard, that he finally passed and became a top scholar.

In Ling County, she is referred to as "the widow". Widows have always been looked down upon, so it is easy to imagine how difficult it has been for her to raise Chu Xian alone over the years. Otherwise, she would not have turned gray at such a young age.

At this moment, several disheveled young boys saw Chu Xian and immediately shouted: "The bookworm is back, the bookworm is back"

The result left Chu Xian in a state of shock

Indeed, there is a problem with my mother's health, and it is a precursor to a serious illness that will soon manifest. Fortunately, there is still time to recover and make amends. At this moment, Chu Xian is contemplating how to treat his mother

In his dreams, Chu Xian, having read the "Hui Chun Medical Canon," also delved into medical practices due to his previous role as a minor official in the county medical hall. Even after rising to a higher official position, Chu Xian did not abandon the path of medicine; rather, he became increasingly proficient in it. Particularly, he later integrated the techniques of immortality into his studies, establishing numerous works and saving lives. Consequently, the most renowned aspect of the Eastern岳 Lord was not his literary talent or his ability to command spirits, but rather his medical skills. Even after rising to a higher official position, Chu Xian did not abandon the path of medicine; rather, he became increasingly proficient in it. Particularly, he later integrated the techniques of immortality into his studies, establishing numerous works and saving lives. Consequently, the most renowned aspect of the Eastern岳 Lord was not his literary talent or his ability to command spirits, but rather his medical skills.

She is Chu Xian's mother, Lady Chu Huang

If it were the kind of cultivation found in dreams, healing his mother would not be a difficult task. However, now he is merely an ordinary person, and wanting to cultivate again is not something that can be achieved in a day. Therefore, he can only resort to the methods of an ordinary person

At this moment, he is sitting in the courtyard contemplating matters

By using this method, first suppress the severe illness, and then gradually treat and regulate the body. In three to five years, it will be possible to completely restore my mother's health

The dilapidated wall and the gate of the courtyard, due to years of neglect, require one to prop it up with their hand in order to push it open. This is the home of Chu Xian. Although only two days have passed, returning here feels as if a long, long time has elapsed, as if it were a different world.

Inside the house, Chu Xian finished the bowl of noodles that his mother had personally made. This was the best meal he had eaten since waking from his dream. After just tidying up the dishes, his mother teased Chu Xian, saying, "My son, my son, the provincial examination is indeed difficult; generally, eight out of ten do not succeed. If you do not perform well, you can take the exam again next year. Why must you cry?"

Moreover, in the event that one miscalculates, it is highly likely that one's article may not even reach Cui Huan's hands; if that is the case, the prospect of entering officialdom becomes even more unattainable

But soon, Chu Xian thought of an extremely embarrassing matter

The issue is that whether it is medicinal supplements or dietary supplements, the prescriptions for disease treatment, and even the methods for conditioning, all require financial expenditure, and the costs are not inexpensive. Given the current situation at home, it is not to mention a single prescription; even the few medicinal ingredients within a prescription are likely beyond our means.

Before falling asleep, Chu Xian would most likely scold a few times, adding some quotes from sages, and say things like you are unlearned and unskilled

Though it is a dream, it is real

He is thoroughly familiar with the four diagnostic methods of traditional Chinese medicine: observation, listening, inquiry, and palpation.

The salaries of officials in the Tang Dynasty were quite high, which was the best method for governance and administration.

In his dreams, his mother, Mrs. Chu Huang, fell gravely ill after his recent provincial examination and ultimately passed away within less than six months

As he approached his home, Chu Xian unexpectedly felt a sense of unease, and his heart was pounding wildly in his chest

At sunset, the mischievous children have already returned home, leaving only a few old yellow dogs lying on the earthen wall, enjoying the warmth lingering in the soil. The smoke from the kitchens of the villagers rises, as families gather around the table, some indulging in lavish feasts, while others partake in simple meals.

That was the initial physical training. Although in his dreams, Chu Xian was the Lord of Dongyue, he encountered a difficult bottleneck that was hard to break through. The reason was that in his youth, he had overlooked the importance of martial arts body training. Although he later learned boxing and body training, the effectiveness was significantly lacking. Therefore, he got up early to practice boxing.

Looking at his mother, Chu Xian could no longer hold back the tears he had been suppressing all along, and at this moment, they streamed down his face.

However, this serious illness does not come suddenly; it is the result of years of accumulated hard work and fatigue. My mother has been toiling alone for many years, which has already taken a toll on her health. In this situation, she can only gradually recuperate, and her daily diet must be enriched with nutrition. Of course, if she can periodically incorporate some health-preserving and illness-eliminating practices, the effects will be even better

Therefore, one must absolutely avoid hanging oneself from a single tree and should seek other means of making money

Certainly, if one can ultimately secure a position in the government, even if it is merely the lowest official rank, there would be a decent salary each month, which could barely sustain a living.

Losing his father at a young age, his mother became the only support, which was undoubtedly a significant blow

The method of treatment, Chu Xian has already made up his mind after careful consideration

Can I wait for myself, but can my mother?

His method is indeed effective; after all, in dreams, he is a master of medicine. The prescriptions he provides for treating and regulating illnesses are sought after by some individuals who are even willing to spend a fortune to obtain them

The woman, not yet forty years old, already has gray hair at her temples. Despite wearing a coarse cloth garment, one can still discern the beauty and charm she possessed in her youth from the expression between her brows. Upon closer inspection, it is also evident that she bears some resemblance to Chu Xian.

However, it is evident that Chu Xian cannot afford to wait idly. Firstly, whether he can enter officialdom is truly uncertain at this moment. Whether Lord Cui Huanzhi can see his examination paper is also unknown. Even if he does see it, whether he can appreciate the value within is another question. If he fails to recognize the strategic insights in this essay on the Five Arts, then all hopes would be in vain. Even if he can discern it, given that Chu Xian has no prior achievements in the four subjects, does Lord Cui Huanzhi possess the resolve to recommend him for an official position?

Chu Xian naturally could not reveal the truth, as it was too extraordinary. After advising his mother to rest early, he did not, as usual, read by candlelight at night. With the Sea of Divine Books, any book sufficed to read just once.

A skilled woman finds it difficult to cook without rice, and even the most skilled physician in Chu cannot succeed without medicine

In the dream of thirty years, my mother passed away just a year after I was born. One can only imagine how much Chu Xian misses her. If it were not for my kind mother, who scrimped and saved to support my education and studies in law, Chu Xian would have lived an ordinary life like those farmers.

Chu Xian gave a self-deprecating smile; indeed, he had once been nothing more than a bookworm, solely focused on studying. He had a singular ambition to enter officialdom, to stand out, and to ensure that his mother, who had raised him with great difficulty, could have dignity among relatives and fellow villagers, living a good life. However, this very pursuit led him to become rather dull-witted, earning him such a derogatory nickname.

... ...

Just now, without raising any suspicion from his mother, Chu Xian completed the diagnosis of her.

This is uncertain

This is a significant issue

Thirty li east of Ancheng lies Ling County, where Chu Xian's home is located. Ling County is a small place, with the east city gate to the west city gate passing through the town, just enough to walk a thousand steps.

Upon seeing my living mother again, not to mention Chu Xian, it would be difficult for anyone to restrain themselves

If this time does not succeed, we will have to wait another year

The rooster has not crowed, the tiles are frosted in the morning, and Chu Xian has already risen. This is a habit formed in Chu Xian's dreams. Although literary talent is important, after entering officialdom, Chu Xian pursued the path of immortality and studied medicine, yet he overlooked one thing.

Hearing the noise, a woman walked out of the room

bookworm