Chapter Seventy-one: Imprisonment

County Office of Deng, Jiang Wen was leisurely practicing Tai Chi in the courtyard. Now, aside from Sun Jian, the wars had all but quieted. Battles involving large numbers of troops inevitably dragged on, so Jiang Wen didn't have to worry about any unexpected changes for the time being.

As long as the court didn't send him new orders, he practically had an abundance of free time.

“Your humble servant greets the lord. I hope you found your rest last night comfortable?” The county magistrate, dressed in official robes, entered and bowed to Jiang Wen.

“Tell those maidservants not to trouble themselves over me in the future,” Jiang Wen replied, gently collecting his breath. “Magistrate, what brings you here?”

The county magistrate replied, “No, no, it’s nothing serious. I merely wondered if your lordship had come to carry out some official business.”

“Official business? Am I here to investigate your embezzlement?”

“Embezzlement? Oh no, my lord, please don’t jest! I have always been poor and upright, and would never steal a single coin from the people!” the magistrate replied anxiously.

Jiang Wen took the cup of water offered by a servant beside him. “Enough, whether you’re corrupt is your own affair. Has anything happened with Master Jia’s household?”

“Oh, yesterday I heard talk of a miraculous doctor...”

“After treating Master Jia’s son, did any disputes arise?”

The magistrate frowned in thought. “Afterwards, Master Jia wanted to reward the physician with a plot of land, but the land was quite dilapidated. In these times, to receive any land at all is a rare fortune!”

“Was there any quarrel between them?”

“No, there was no quarrel. Both sides were quite amiable. I’ve heard that Zhang Zhongjing will be moving out today.”

Jiang Wen’s expression didn’t change as he nodded. “I’m only passing through Deng County. In a few days, I’ll be on my way.”

“My lord, trouble! That Zhang Zhongjing is utterly unyielding—he would rather die than sign the papers in the jail!” A bailiff rushed in, panic on his face.

The magistrate’s expression changed abruptly, only to look up and see Jiang Wen smiling with amusement. “He is indeed quite amiable.”

The county prison was foul and suffocating. Jiang Wen entered with a calm face, the magistrate behind him looking bitter and crestfallen.

“Which cell?”

“That one...”

On a pile of straw slept a middle-aged man, still disheveled as ever. The furrowed brows showed Zhang Zhongjing had not slept well.

“Magistrate, do you care to explain yourself?”

“This... my lord, yesterday everything was fine. The miracle doctor brought people to ask Zhang Zhongjing to move out, and he agreed. But then the doctor took a fancy to the medical books that Zhang Zhongjing had written...” The magistrate spoke with extreme caution, nervous, knowing that if he concealed anything, he could lose both his hat and his head.

The magistrate continued, “Zhang Zhongjing is agreeable in most things, but those medical books are his lifeblood—he cannot bear anyone to touch them. After that, a fight broke out.”

Jiang Wen said, “Very well, you may leave. I wish to speak with Zhang Zhongjing alone.”

“Yes, my lord.”

After the magistrate withdrew, Jiang Wen looked at Zhang Zhongjing in the cell. “I didn’t expect we’d meet again so soon, though the location leaves much to be desired.”

“If you’re here to mock me, just say so,” Zhang Zhongjing retorted.

Jiang Wen replied, “I have said before, I hold nothing but respect for you. Would you care to come out?”

Zhang Zhongjing replied scornfully, “I’ve said before, I detest you officials. I need no help from you—stay out of my sight and I’ll be better off.”

Jiang Wen sighed. “Your unyielding spirit is truly a model for my generation. Alas, if you dislike me so, there’s nothing I can do but take my leave.”

He glanced at Zhang Zhongjing one more time and was about to go when he suddenly added, “But those medical books... I fear they might all be claimed by others in the end. What a pity.”

Zhang Zhongjing immediately sat up, rushed to the cell door, and stared at Jiang Wen. “If that charlatan dares touch my books, I’ll kill him myself!”

“Sir, you’re locked in a cell right now; escaping is already difficult enough,” Jiang Wen said with a faint smile. “Besides, you are a healer. How can you speak of killing? If only you could meet a benefactor, you wouldn’t have to trouble yourself so.”

Zhang Zhongjing looked at Jiang Wen, convinced he was waiting for him to beg for help, and grew even angrier. “I won’t—”

“The medical books...”

“Those books...”

Zhang Zhongjing’s expression darkened. “What is it you want?”

“Come with me to Xiangyang, as a guest in my home.”

“That’s all? No treating patients, no serving as an official?”

Jiang Wen shook his head. “No, simply share a meal with me. Besides, you’ve been turned out and burdened with so many books—where will you stay?”

“Are all officials as shameless as you?”

Jiang Wen laughed. “There’s an even more unruly general. But it’s settled then; don’t go back on your word!”

Zhang Zhongjing snorted. “I have always kept my promises. Let me out at once.”

“Very well!” Jiang Wen called out. “Magistrate, come in!”

The magistrate hurried in. “What is your command, my lord?”

“Open the door.”

Zhang Zhongjing stepped out of the cell, glowering at both the magistrate and Jiang Wen. “Once I’ve retrieved my medical books, I’ll come with you.”

“Magistrate, prepare a carriage and have a few bailiffs accompany us.”

At Zhang Zhongjing’s courtyard, Yu Ji was poring over the medical books in his hands. The contents were truly extraordinary, offering incisive insights and treatments for all manner of difficult illnesses.

If he could master these things, they would be a tremendous aid to his proselytizing.

“Out of my way!”

“Zhang Zhongjing, Master Jia has already given this residence to the physician. You are not allowed to enter!”

“Move!”

“Lord Magistrate, my master has always shown you great respect!”

The magistrate stood quietly behind Jiang Wen, not daring to make a sound, while the bailiffs quickly restrained the servants guarding the door, allowing Zhang Zhongjing to charge inside.

“What’s the meaning of this? Why have you all come uninvited?”

Zhang Zhongjing glared furiously at Yu Ji. “Where are my medical books?!”

Yu Ji replied with feigned confusion, “Master Jia said that everything in this residence belongs to me. What are these books you’re speaking of?”

He caught sight of the magistrate as well. “Lord Magistrate, you must uphold justice for me!”

Zhang Zhongjing’s brow furrowed, on the verge of rage.

With a sudden “Bang!” Jiang Wen landed a fist squarely on Yu Ji’s face, yanking his beard. “Where are his books?”

Yu Ji winced in pain, looking to the magistrate for help, only to see him pretending to admire the scenery, as if he hadn’t seen a thing.

Staring at the man before him, Yu Ji realized it was the very person he’d met yesterday. “Those are my things!”

Jiang Wen hit him again. “Where are his books?”

Meanwhile, Zhang Zhongjing strode straight into the house, and the magistrate signaled to the bailiffs nearby, “Quick, go help him!”