After Zhang Yan finished speaking, Xiahou Lan immediately acknowledged the order and left.
After Xiahou Lan left, Zhang Yan said to Pei Yuanshao, Zhou Cang, and Xiahou Bo, "Tomorrow morning, the army will set out and head straight for Zhao, King Liu She's camp!"
"Understood!"
Everyone immediately took their orders and went to prepare.
That night, in the camp, Zhang Chen was contemplating the battle for the next day when he suddenly felt restless, as if there was a faint sense of unease.
A short while later, Guo Jia entered the tent to report that the three armies had set up camps on the east, west, and south sides of Longyao, waiting only for Zhang Chen's order tomorrow to launch a combined attack on Longyao.
Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Zhang Chen showed no joy. Instead, his unease deepened, and he said, "Zhang Yan commands tens of thousands of troops and will certainly not sit idly by. He will inevitably seek an opportunity to break through."
Guo Jia said, "Lord, your concern is valid, and I was just about to report it. If Zhang Yan wants to break through, he will surely exit through the West Gate. Among the four armies, Zhao, King Liu She's forces are the fewest and have the lowest combat strength. Moreover, after Situ Ming's rebellion, King Zhao has no capable generals under him, and King Zhao himself is not knowledgeable in military matters. Therefore, the chances of breaking through from the west are greater!"
"Since that is the case, issue an order to Gao Shun to lead five thousand troops to assist King Zhao in defending against the enemy," Zhang Chen said, while thinking and pondering, and then added, "Bring the Trapped Camp as well, and tell Gao Shun that this battle must be a complete success!"
"Understood."
Guo Jia said, then bowed, and withdrew.
After Guo Jia left, Zhang Chen closed his eyes in contemplation, thinking that with such a deployment, it should be foolproof.
But he always felt that something was not quite right.
After a moment, a report from outside the tent interrupted his thoughts.
"Lord, there is a person outside the camp gate requesting an audience. He claims to be an old acquaintance of the Lord, named Hua Tuo."
Divine Doctor Hua?
Why is he here?
Zhang Chen was immediately startled and quickly exited the tent, arriving at the camp gate.
He saw a person standing at the camp gate, around forty years old, dressed in white. It was indeed Divine Doctor Hua Tuo, with whom he had met once in Guangping County that day, and who had later spoken on his behalf in front of Lord Li Wen!
As soon as Hua Tuo saw Zhang Chen, he couldn't help but smile, bowing and saluting, "Zhang Chen."
"Mr. Hua!" Zhang Chen couldn't help but exclaim with delight, "We haven't seen each other for many days. What wind has blown you here today? Please come into the tent for a chat."
Zhang Chen immediately invited Hua Tuo into the tent and said, "Sir, after we parted that day, I didn't expect to meet again here today. Have you been well?"
"Thanks to the Lord's concern, I am doing well," Hua Tuo stroked his beard and smiled, "I never thought that in just half a year, Zhang Gongzi has risen from a commoner to the position of Prefect. You are truly a dragon among men!"
"Sir, you flatter me. Zifan is where he is today entirely thanks to your kind words in front of Lord Li that day. Otherwise, I would likely have been arrested and questioned, and my head would be hanging in the marketplace by now."
Hua Tuo stroked his beard and smiled, "Alas, Lord Li Wen's Clairvoyance is like a torch; he is by no means an unreasonable person, nor will he only listen to my one-sided words. It must be because the Lord's actions are clear and upright that he has gained Lord Li Wen's favor!"
After a few words of greeting, Zhang Chen asked about Hua Tuo's purpose for coming this time.
Hua Tuo sighed softly and said, "This is a long story. Two years ago, a plague broke out in Ji Province. I was practicing medicine here and happened to encounter followers of the 'Taiping Way' distributing charm water to treat people. As a physician, I naturally didn't believe in these methods, but to my surprise, I found that a patient whose condition was beyond the reach of medicine showed improvement after drinking the charm water. Out of curiosity, I went to see their 'Great Virtuous Teacher' Zhang Jiao."
Hua Tuo paused and continued, "I talked with Zhang Jiao all night and found that he was also quite knowledgeable in medicine. As for treating illnesses with charm water, according to him, it is an immortal method recorded in 'The Essential Arts of Pacifying Heaven'. I naturally didn't believe it, so he ordered someone to bring out a person who was critically ill for me to examine. After examining his pulse, I found that the person's pulse was already gone, and there was no hope of recovery. But who knew, after Zhang Jiao gave him the charm water, that person was actually able to sit up."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen couldn't help but chuckle and say, "Sir, this is a method of deceiving people's minds. How can you easily believe it? The charm water itself has no effect. It's just that many people were infected with the plague, and many had no money for treatment, so they could only place their hope in this. The severity of the patients' symptoms varied, and with widespread distribution, those with mild symptoms would naturally recover on their own, leading to the rumor that the charm water was effective. As for the person you saw, I presume Zhang Jiao must have used other means to make you diagnose a terminal pulse."
Hua Tuo nodded and sighed, "I didn't expect Lord Zhang Chen to have such sharp Clairvoyance at such a young age! Alas, it's only because I wasn't careful at the time that I only understood the truth afterwards. But because of this matter, I made a bet with Zhang Jiao and promised to help him once. As long as he sends someone with my token to find me, I will help him treat one person."
Hua Tuo continued, "I didn't take this matter to heart, but a month ago, while I was practicing medicine in You Province, a person came to see me holding a token, saying that he was entrusted by Zhang Jiao's disciple, Guan Hai, to ask for my help."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen frowned slightly and said, "Is the person he wants you to treat Zhang Jiao's daughter, Zhang Ning?"
Hua Tuo nodded and said, "Yes, it is Zhang Ning."
Zhang Chen sighed slightly and said, "Sir, do you know that Zhang Ning is the leader of the Yellow Heaven Holy Sect? Now, her followers are gathering to rebel and causing harm in Ji Province?"
"This..." Upon hearing these words, Hua Tuo's brows furrowed deeply. After a long time, he said, "Eliminating bandits and suppressing rebellion is the Lord's business. Treating illnesses and saving people is my business. Since I have promised, I cannot break my word! I hope the Lord can consider the past and allow me to uphold my integrity."
Zhang Chen smiled and said, "Sir, don't worry. How could I make things difficult for you? But since you are going to treat her, why have you come here to me?"
Hua Tuo said, "The person who delivered the message told me to come to the Lord, saying that the person to be treated is here with the Lord."
"What?!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen was startled and pondered in his heart.
So Guan Hai had already predicted the fate of the Yellow Turban. By having Hua Tuo come to find me, he had already concluded that Zhang Ning would surely be captured by me?
He knew that Hua Tuo had shown me kindness, so he had him come in person, also concluding that I would spare Zhang Ning's life out of consideration for Hua Tuo.
As expected of Guan Hai, his calculations are indeed profound and extraordinary!
Thinking of this, Zhang Chen smiled and said, "Since that is the case, Sir, please settle down first. After a few days, I will ask Sir to provide treatment."
The next day, as dawn broke, Xiahou Lan quietly led five thousand elite cavalry out from the South Gate and headed straight for Ju Shou's camp.
The rest of the generals also mustered their troops, preparing to set off.
Just as everyone was about to break camp, Zhang Yan said, "Pei Yuanshao, Zhou Cang, Xiahou Bo, I will give you fifty thousand troops to launch a surprise attack on Zhao, King Liu She's camp. Once successful, do not turn back, but push straight into Zhao Commandery!"
"Commander, then you..."
A hint of determination flashed in Zhang Yan's eyes: "Last night, I thought long and hard. The Holy Maiden is here, and I must stay! I will personally lead twenty thousand troops to support Xiahou Lan, break through from the South Gate, and capture and kill Ju Shou. Let that Zhang Chen see our methods as well!"
"Commander..."
"My mind is made up, no need to say more!"
The few wanted to say something else, but they were stopped by Zhang Yan. Seeing his resolute attitude, they could only obey the order, lead their troops, and head out through the West Gate.