Water Margin: Did we kill Zheng Tu today?

Chapter 86 Please stop

Meanwhile, Zheng Tu left the Ximen residence and walked along the street, pondering as he went, his mind racing.

Upon closer examination, the onset of Wuhan University's illness is indeed quite strange.

After investigating in his previous life, Wu Song determined that the poison was caused by a slow-acting poison. But who was the poisoner? When did the evil thought begin and the poison was administered? Where exactly was the poison placed?

He thought and thought, but couldn't come up with a solution.

But there was a hidden calculation:

Previously, I only taught Jiang Zhushan how to treat patients, which was inevitably biased and ultimately led to a lack of empathy.

This time, we need to invite several doctors, each using their own methods, to make separate diagnoses and compare them to determine the truth and ensure that nothing goes wrong.

Moreover, Wu Da's condition, characterized by persistent high fever and physical weakness, resembles typhoid fever, but the possibility of it being caused by a slow-acting poison cannot be ruled out.

If it is truly a chronic poisoning, different doctors might be able to glean some clues from taking the pulse.

Thinking of this, Zheng Tu no longer hesitated, exerted force with his feet, and disappeared into the streets and alleys in a few flashes.

…………

Now, let's talk about the Wu family.

Pan Jinlian was tending the stove fire in the kitchen.

Her plump, round buttocks, like a full moon, rested on the small stool, creating an alluring curve.

She rested her chin on one hand, while unconsciously fanning herself with a palm-leaf fan, staring intently at the boiling steam in the earthenware pot on the stove.

The firelight from the stove reflected on her jade-like face, making her eyes appear shimmering and her lips vibrant, adding to her allure.

Suddenly, there was a rapid knocking at the door.

Pan Jinlian was surprised: Who would come at this hour? Could it be Uncle Zheng?

Thinking of this, she straightened her clothes and quickly went to open the door.

No sooner had the latch been released than the gate was pushed open, and a large group of people filed in and headed straight for the courtyard!

Pan Jinlian was so shocked that her face turned pale. She roughly counted, and there were probably more than ten people!

She hurriedly moved to the wall, thinking that a group of robbers had come. Her full chest heaved violently, and her heart pounded as if it were about to jump out of her chest.

To everyone's surprise, after the group entered, they simply stood in a circle in the courtyard, each holding their breath and standing with their hands at their sides, without making a sound or showing any ill intent.

Only then did she peek out from the corner, revealing half of her foxy face, and scrutinize her closely.

The group of people were of varying ages, including elderly men with white hair and beards who used canes, young men in their thirties and forties, and two who looked to be no more than twenty years old.

The people were dressed in different ways, but the only thing they had in common was the strong smell of herbs on their bodies, as well as the medicine boxes and pulse pillows they carried.

Pan Jinlian, filled with suspicion, curtsied to the crowd and, mustering her courage, asked softly, "May I ask what brings you all to my humble abode...?"

Before he could finish speaking, a deep voice came from outside the door:

"Sister-in-law, please don't ask. These are all the doctors I invited to treat Brother Wu's illness."

Then another person strode in from outside the door: eight feet tall, with a robust build, and with such a powerful stride, it was none other than Zheng Tu!

"Oh, Uncle Zheng!"

Pan Jinlian's eyes lit up, and her moist lips involuntarily curved upwards. Her foxy face instantly radiated a glow, making her exceptionally charming with surprise, and even her voice softened.

With a glance, she exudes a myriad of charms.

The young and strong doctors in the ward had never seen such a stunning beauty before. They were already somewhat stunned when they first saw Pan Jinlian, and now, seeing her like this, their eyes were wide open in disbelief.

But upon catching a glimpse of Zheng Tu, they all shuddered and hurriedly lowered their heads. However, with such beauty before them, their hearts itched, and before long they couldn't resist stealing glances again, repeating this cycle endlessly.

Zheng Tu ignored Pan Jinlian and solemnly clasped his hands in greeting to the dozen or so doctors, saying, "Thank you all for your trouble. My elder brother is upstairs. Please take turns going upstairs to examine his pulse. Determine the cause of the illness and write it down. If anyone makes an accurate diagnosis, I, Zheng, will reward them handsomely!"

Everyone responded in unison.

An elderly man with white hair and beard, supported by a young boy, stepped forward first, bowed to Zheng Tu, and slowly went upstairs carrying a small medicine box. The rest of the people waited in the courtyard in an orderly manner.

Seeing Zheng Tu's impressive display, Pan Jinlian felt both curious and delighted.

She walked up to Zheng Tu, tilted her pretty face up to look at him, her eyes sparkling, and asked curiously, "Uncle Zheng, why did you invite so many doctors to come see me? Didn't Doctor Jiang already prescribe a medicine last time?"

Zheng Tu watched the doctor go upstairs and said indifferently, "I am by nature suspicious and do not trust the words of Jiang Zhushan alone. It would be safer to have several doctors take a look."

Pan Jinlian blinked her fox-like eyes and asked again, "How did Uncle Zheng manage to get these doctors to come? I know some of them; they're very famous in Qinghe County. It's not easy for ordinary people to get them to come to their homes for a minor ailment like a headache or fever."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Tu's lips curled up involuntarily as he recalled the scene from earlier.

When he went to ask for help earlier, those famous doctors initially made excuses.

There was an elderly doctor surnamed Liu who put on airs and actually said, "I've seen thirty patients today, and I'm not seeing any more."

Zheng Tu originally wanted to be gentler, only asking him in a low voice to help him, saying he could use more money, even double it.

To everyone's surprise, the old doctor snorted coldly and ignored him completely.

Having no other choice, Zheng Tu walked to the table in his clinic, poked a deep hole in it with his finger, then introduced himself as Ximen Qing, gave the doctor a respectful smile, and invited him to come over.

Doctor Liu turned pale and dared not refuse.

The others, upon hearing the name "Ximen Qing" and seeing Zheng Tu's methods, all changed their attitudes and became very easy to talk to.

They followed the same method and invited seven or eight more companies.

Later on, as soon as they saw Zheng Tu in person, all the doctors changed their expressions and became very easy to talk to.

However, there's no need to go into these details with Pan Jinlian.

At this moment, Zheng Tu simply said, "Perhaps it's because I look familiar."

How clever was Pan Jinlian?

Although Zheng Tu didn't say anything, she had already guessed seven or eight parts of the truth in her heart.

She couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle, her eyes sweeping over Zheng Tu, her opinion of him rising even higher.

As the saying goes, "A person without strength cannot live long."

A seductive woman like Pan Jinlian would have the utmost contempt for a spineless man who wouldn't back down even after being beaten three times, and would turn tail after being beaten four times. Wu Da, on the other hand, was always honest and had been bullied by others, so he belonged to this category.

"This Uncle Zheng is truly capable and resourceful! If we could get in touch with him..."

Just then, footsteps came from upstairs. The old doctor had finished his consultation and came downstairs, his face grave.

Upon seeing this, Zheng Tu hurriedly went to greet him: "Sir, how are you?"

The old man stroked his white beard and pondered, "The patient's pulse is weak and rapid, his tongue coating is thick and yellow, and he has a high fever and delirium. It is indeed a case of internal heat toxin accumulation. However..."

"This heat toxicity came about in a strange way. It's not like a common cold that enters the body and turns into heat. It's more like... a long-term accumulation that has turned into toxicity."

.........