"Doctor Xia, if you have any questions, just ask," Zhao Feng said nonchalantly.
"Esteed elder, your dical skills are astonishing. From which school did you learn them?"
"Throughout the world, each dical lineage has a profound origin. Perhaps I might even know of General Zhao’s ntor," Xia Wuqie said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Feng smiled. "Actually, I haven’t formally studied under a master. My mother happens to be proficient in the art of dicine, and I was imrsed in it from a young age. As for the Suturing Skill and the technique of quenching to sterilize, those were fortunate discoveries of my own."
"May I inquire about your mother’s na, General Zhao?" Xia Wuqie asked, his face full of interest and his old eyes brimming with anticipation.
Zhao Feng did not think much of it and replied with a faint smile, "My mother’s surna is Wu, and her given na is Ning."
"After marrying my father, she stopped using her given na. The people in the village all call my mother Mrs. Zhao."
When he heard this, a look of disappointnt flashed across Xia Wuqie’s face. Obviously, he had been holding on to a sliver of hope, expecting to hear his daughter’s na from Zhao Feng’s lips, but in the end, he was only t with disappointnt.
"Your mother is truly remarkable. Not only did she teach you such impressive dical skills, but she also raised a peerless War General for Qin," Xia Wuqie said, pushing aside his disappointnt and speaking to Zhao Feng with a smile.
"Thank you for the high praise, Doctor Xia," Zhao Feng chuckled, very pleased to hear his mother complinted.
"By the way, what about your father?" Xia Wuqie asked again.
"He died in the battle of Handan during the campaign against Zhao," Zhao Feng replied, a flicker of sadness in his eyes.
These were things his mother had told him. Although he had never t his father, Zhao Feng understood that enlistnt was an unavoidable duty. After his death in battle, the family received his Annual Salary, which allowed his mother to support him and his sister. Naturally, Zhao Feng held his father in high esteem.
"My apologies," Xia Wuqie said with an apologetic tone. "I did not know."
In the end, he was still clutching at straws, continuing his questioning in the hope of finding so clue. But now, it seed it was all rely a coincidence.
"It’s nothing," Zhao Feng said with a faint smile. "There are countless children like throughout Qin. As long as war continues to ravage the world, this will keep happening. It’s not just in Qin, but everywhere."
"Only when the world is unified will young children stop losing their fathers and the elderly stop losing the pillars of their households. That is the best solution."
Of course, even though Zhao Feng knew the End of Qin was coming, unification would at least bring over a decade of peace to the Land of the Divine Continent, free from major conflict. This was all imminent with the unification by a powerful Qin. It was because of Qin’s unification that all later dynasties would aspire to the sa Great Unification.
"True," Xia Wuqie nodded vigorously in agreent. "Only with unification can this situation co to an end."
That was precisely why he had returned to Qin with his daughter, following Ying Zheng.
"Unifying the world cannot be achieved by Sharp Warriors alone. The Military Doctors trained by you, Doctor Xia, are also a great help," Zhao Feng said solemnly. "It requires the entire strength of Qin to accomplish."
"Don’t worry," Xia Wuqie said with a smile. "The current Great King has a brilliant mind and grand strategies. He will certainly unify the world."
"Would you care for a drink, Doctor Xia?" Zhao Feng chuckled, passing the wine jug to Xia Wuqie.
"Haha, it has been a long while since I last drank," Xia Wuqie laughed, taking the jug. "In that case, I won’t be polite!" He imdiately took a big gulp.
As the alcohol went down, Xia Wuqie’s face flushed, and his old eyes revealed his shock. "What kind of wine is this? So strong, and yet so sweetly fragrant!" he exclaid. As the great physician of Qin and Ying Zheng’s father-in-law, he had tasted the finest wines in the entire Great Qin Palace, but he had never encountered a vintage like this.
"It’s a strong liquor produced by Immortals’ Liquor House," Zhao Feng said with a smile. "A top-grade spirit."
"Immortals’ Liquor House?" Xia Wuqie replied, slightly astonished. "This is the first I’ve heard of it."
"It’s a tavern located in Yingchuan County," Zhao Feng responded.
"No wonder I’ve never heard of it. This wine is truly exceptional—much better than the imperial wine from the palace, and even stronger," Xia Wuqie praised, nodding in admiration.
"When there’s a chance, this junior will treat you to a proper drink at the Immortals’ Liquor House in Yingchuan," Zhao Feng invited with a smile.
After returning to Qin, and especially after his daughter’s departure, Xia Wuqie’s disposition had always been aloof. He would ignore any invitation, regardless of who offered it. Yet today, faced with Zhao Feng’s offer, Xia Wuqie felt no inclination to refuse. Perhaps it was that backward glance, but he felt a certain closeness to the young general.
"Doctor Xia, you should go and rest after finishing your wine," Zhao Feng said. "I need to hurry back to treat the injured soldiers."
"If a military commander like you is so dedicated, how could I, a physician, sit idly by and ignore the wounded?" Xia Wuqie smiled. "I will go with you shortly."
---
In a hastily cleared hall of the Zhao Royal Palace.
"What is Doctor Xia doing?" Ying Zheng asked Ren Xiao, his voice laced with concern.
Since entering Handan, Xia Wuqie had been out of sight. Although Ying Zheng suspected he might have gone to the Wounded Soldier Camp, he was naturally worried.
"Reporting to the Great King," Ren Xiao replied respectfully. "Doctor Xia is at the Wounded Soldier Camp, treating the injured."
Hearing this, Ying Zheng nodded. "Go and tell Doctor Xia that he is getting on in years and must pay attention to his rest. He must not overexert himself. Having Master Chen and the other Military Doctors in the camp should be sufficient."
"This subject understands," Ren Xiao said respectfully.
"By the way, Great King," Ren Xiao added, "General Zhao Feng is also in the camp treating the wounded."
"He didn’t go back to rest? He went to treat the injured?" Ying Zheng asked, quite surprised.
"Indeed," Ren Xiao nodded.
"That boy really can’t sit still. After leading the attack for so long, he isn’t even tired?" Ying Zheng remarked with astonishnt.
"General Zhao told everyone that many of his Pao Ze brothers are in the Wounded Soldier Camp. Now that the battle is over, since he has the ability, he cannot just stand by and watch his Pao Ze brothers die from their injuries. He said he would do his utmost to save them," Ren Xiao reported, his tone filled with admiration.
Upon hearing this, a look of admiration flashed across Ying Zheng’s face.
"Zhao Feng," he said slowly. "He is truly worthy of being Qin’s most valiant War General."
"No wonder his n revere him as the soul of the army. Given his loyalty to his comrades, he deserves it all."
"To receive such high praise from the Great King, General Zhao is truly one of a kind in the army," Ren Xiao added in respectful agreent.
"Have the sacrificial offerings I requested been prepared?" Ying Zheng inquired.
"They have been prepared," Ren Xiao confird with a respectful nod.
"Go and inform Zhao Feng. He is to accompany and the Senior General tomorrow," Ying Zheng commanded firmly.
Ren Xiao bowed respectfully. "This subject accepts the decree." He then withdrew.
Ying Zheng allowed a small smile to form. "Zhao Feng... he is indeed one of my fortunate generals." After this campaign to annihilate Zhao is over, his military achievents will be enough to make him a Protector-General. He could even beco the youngest Senior General in all of Qin.
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