Chương 141: Taking Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai to the doctor

Before long, the others also got up one after another.

Cai Yan, Zhang Ning, Ren Hongchang, Zhen Tuo, Zhen Dao, Zhen Rong, and Zhen Mi—seven beauties, each with their own unique charm in the morning light.

Cai Yan held the guqin and played it gently. Zhang Ning taught Ren Hongchang swordsmanship. The four Zhen sisters huddled together, whispering to each other.

Zhen Rong suddenly said, "Why isn't eldest sister up yet? I'll go wake that lazybones; the sun's already high in the sky."

Liu Ce quickly said, "Jiang'er is probably tired from yesterday. Let her sleep a little longer. Anyway, it's nothing serious."

The four sisters exchanged a glance and smiled.

Of course they know what "I was tired yesterday" means.

But no one said it out loud.

Liu Ce was pleased to see this.

These days are really good.

...

In the afternoon, in a side room of the governor's mansion.

Guo Jia leaned back on the couch, holding a wine cup in his hand, swirling the wine inside, and smiling with his eyes crinkling.

Xi Zhicai sat at his desk, having just finished writing a policy on the resettlement of displaced people. His fingertips were still stained with ink, and he took a sip of wine.

The two had just finished their task of verifying household registrations in Youzhou and were having a drink during their afternoon break.

"Zhicai."

Guo Jia exclaimed, "Our Marquis is truly a divine being. Fine salt, fine wine, paper... everything is a treasure. And those potatoes and sweet potatoes, the yield is at least fifty shi per mu—my goodness, if this were promoted, the people of Youzhou would never go hungry again."

Xi Zhicai nodded and said, "Your Excellency's talent is far beyond our reach. However..."

He paused, then smiled wryly, "The official duties are just too heavy. Household registration, farmland, displaced people, border defense... I have to worry about everything. These past few days, I've felt a tightness in my chest."

Guo Jia waved his hand and said, "You're just tired. Have some wine and relax, and you'll feel better."

Just then, Liu Ce pushed the door open and came in.

Hearing the conversation and smelling the alcohol, his mind went blank, and he suddenly slapped his thigh— Holy crap! I forgot about those two ancestors!

Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai were both top strategists in the Three Kingdoms period, but both were physically weak as if made of paper, and they loved to worry unnecessarily! Historically, Guo Jia died at the age of thirty-eight, and Xi Zhicai died even earlier! Not to mention, these two were also heavy drinkers!

Youzhou is in dire need of manpower right now. If these two precious children are lost, he'll have nowhere to turn to cry!

"Fengxiao, Zhicai, stop drinking!"

Liu Ce strode over, snatched the wine cup from Guo Jia's hand, and said, "Hurry up and get ready to meet someone!"

Guo Jia was taken aback: "What's wrong, Lord Marquis? You were just finishing up and having a great time, what urgent matter could you have?"

Xi Zhicai also put down his wine cup: "Does Your Excellency have any new official duties to attend to?"

"More urgent than official business!"

Liu Ce grabbed the two of them and headed out, thinking to himself: What urgent matter could it be? To save your lives!

But he said, "You'll see when you get there; I guarantee it'll be a good thing!"

Completely bewildered, the two were half-pulled, half-dragged out of the governor's mansion by Liu Ce and arrived at Zhang Zhongjing's clinic.

(Adding a note) Name: Zhang Ji, courtesy name Zhongjing Gender: Male Age: 30 [Strength]: 39 Command: 65 [Politics]: 81 (Second-rate) Intelligence: 98 (Medical skills, first-class) [Appearance]: 78cm Special skills: 【Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment】: During diagnosis, accurately match symptoms with prescriptions to improve treatment effectiveness.

[The Ancestor of Classical Formulas]: The success rate of developing new formulas has been improved, and the efficacy of classic formulas (such as Guizhi Tang and Mahuang Tang) has been permanently enhanced.

[Sitting in the clinic to heal hearts]: When free clinics are opened, the public's support increases, reducing the probability of regional epidemic spread.

"Mr. Zhongjing, I need your help with something!" Liu Ce said.

Zhang Zhongjing rose and cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Excellency is too kind. May I ask what your orders are?"

Liu Ce pushed Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai forward and said bluntly, "Sir, please take a look at these two. They've been staying up all night lately handling official business and drinking every day. I'm worried their health won't be able to take it."

Upon hearing this, Guo Jia immediately waved his hand and said, "My lord, you jest! I'm in excellent health. I can drink three jars of wine in one sitting, and I don't feel tired even when handling official business until midnight. Why would I need to see a doctor?"

Xi Zhicai chimed in, "Your Excellency is overthinking this. We've been doing this for years and have no discomfort. There's no need to trouble you, sir."

"You think you're not sick just because you say so?"

Liu Ce's face hardened, his tone leaving no room for argument, "Master Zhongjing is a renowned physician of our time. Let him take a look and you'll be at ease! You two are my right-hand men. If you both fall ill, who will shoulder the responsibility for Youzhou?"

Without saying a word, he grabbed Guo Jia's shoulder and pushed him in front of Zhang Zhongjing: "Sir, please take a look at Fengxiao first. He loves to drink, but he always says he's fine."

Zhang Zhongjing did not refuse. He stepped forward, grasped Guo Jia's wrist, placed his fingertips on his pulse, and closed his eyes to concentrate.

A moment later, he opened his eyes and asked Guo Jia, "Does Mr. Guo sometimes feel anxious? Or do you sleep poorly at night?"

Unable to answer the question properly, Guo Jia had no choice but to reply truthfully: "Yes... occasionally, but a little wine will do the trick."

"Nonsense!"

Liu Ce glared at him.

"Still drinking? You'll die if you drink any more!"

Zhang Zhongjing released his grip and turned to Xi Zhicai: "Mr. Xi, please lend me your hand."

Seeing Liu Ce's resolute attitude, Xi Zhicai stopped refusing and obediently extended his wrist.

When Zhang Zhongjing took the pulse, his brows furrowed slightly, and it took him a while to relax.

"Both gentlemen are indeed not seriously ill, but their pulses are weak and floating, indicating stagnation of liver qi, which is caused by long-term mental strain and excessive drinking. If they are not treated, they may develop chronic diseases in the future."

Guo Jia tried to argue, but Liu Ce interrupted him directly: "Did you hear that? The Master has already said so! From today onwards, both of you will halve your drinking and official duties, and you must be asleep before 9 PM every night! Master Zhongjing will prescribe some remedies; drink them on time!"

Xi Zhicai sighed and nodded helplessly, saying, "Since the Marquis and the Master have both said so, we will obey."

Guo Jia pursed his lips and muttered, "The Marquis is treating us like porcelain dolls... However, to have the Marquis personally invite the doctor to treat us is a unique honor."

Liu Ce rolled his eyes at him: "Stop talking nonsense! If you two were doing well, I wouldn't need to worry about you. Hurry up and go back with the doctor to get your medicine. If you dare to stay up all night and drink heavily again, I'll punish you by making you copy the Analects a hundred times!"

Seeing the three bickering, Zhang Zhongjing couldn't help but laugh and said, "The Marquis is truly very caring towards you two gentlemen. You two don't need to resist; taking care of your health is also to better assist the Marquis."

Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai exchanged a bitter smile.

But deep down, I felt warm.

The fact that our lord is so concerned about their health shows that he truly considers them his own people.

Looking at the two of them, Liu Ce secretly vowed: With him here, history must never repeat itself. These two precious children must live to see the world unified!

He still needs their advice and strategies to conquer the world!

We can't do without any of them!

Even a professional slacker needs reliable teammates.

Health is the foundation of everything.