Chapter 78 – Hope

The Western doctor was quickly and secretly brought aboard the Sheng family’s ship overnight. This was a Westerner with a very difficult name to pronounce, he had a high nose, deep-set eyes, dark brown irises, a beard, and a head full of unruly brown hair. His clothes looked old and worn, giving an impression that he lived a hard life. Lu Jiugao had previously discussed and given him a name from the Middle Kingdom, Ge Erwen. After boarding the ship, Ge Erwen gobbled down several large bowls of beef noodle soup, shocking the crew members responsible for settling him in. Then he borrowed a razor to shave, washed his face and hands, changed into clean clothes, and came to see Xu Chun.

Xu Chun found that Ge Erwen didn’t speak the Middle Kingdom’s language very well, but he communicated smoothly with Lu Jiugao, who seemed to know some foreign tongue as well.

Lu Jiugao told Xu Chun, “He was excommunicated and hunted by the Church for writing a book. He believes that many illnesses are caused by tiny living organisms that cannot be seen by the naked eye, which led to his expulsion by the Church in his country.”

Xu Chun said in confusion, “He means that those small things that cause illness are alive? Uh… It could be possible, it’s just an idea, right? Why wouldn’t their Church tolerate it? The Church manages such things? Do they have that much power?”

Ge Erwen gestured wildly, “Because they believe I’m desecrating the divine spirit, daring to create life like the Creator, God, saying I’m a demon! That it’s evil sorcery!”

Xu Chun couldn’t understand his expression at all, and was even more perplexed about how there was a Church that could reign above the King, but he still politely said, “Doctor Ge, it’s best that you’re willing to go to the Middle Kingdom. We also have many excellent doctors who can discuss medicine with you. It would be even better if we could cure Mr. Lu’s mother sooner.”

Ge Erwen’s eyes shone brightly, “I heard that you’re going to Minzhou this time, there’s a method of using urine and feces from boys in medicine there, that can prove my theory! I want to see it!”

Xu Chun: “…”

Donghai explained beside him, “He’s probably talking about the boys’ eggs and the Golden Juice from Huaqiao Palace. It’s not just in our Minzhou, there’s some of this everywhere in the country. Indeed, it has miraculous effects in treating high fever, internal heat, and clearing liver fire.”

Ge Erwen’s eyes widened dramatically, “This is what I’m talking about, those tiny organisms, they’re beneficial. They live in the intestines of boys, after being preserved and fed to sick people, they can replace the bad organisms, and people will become healthy.”

Xu Chun sighed heavily and clasped his hands, “Sir, please talk more with Donghai.”

Along with the Western doctor, Fang Zijing also ordered people to send over a thick chest of books. When opened, it was full of various books on shipbuilding, nautical charts, and so on. Some were very old, while others were new, likely copied in recent years.

The steward who delivered them replied with his hands folded, “My island owner said that the book from the Lu family, Fourth Young Master treated it like a treasure and spent a lot of silver on it. Let the young master take a look at our family’s inherited collection as well, it’s also considered our contribution to setting up the school. And please put in a good word for Fourth Young Master in front of the honored guests in the future.”

Xu Chun: “…” He ordered Chunxi to reward the messenger, then carefully flipped through the books, instantly feeling the mocking intent from Fang Zijing. He could only console himself that this was akin to spending a thousand gold coins to buy horse bones. If not for this incident, Fang Zijing might not have been willing to part with these books.

After Ge Erwen boarded the ship, he discussed with Donghai and prescribed some medicine, combining acupuncture. Lu Jiugao’s mother’s condition stabilized somewhat, and she became much more comfortable. The Sheng family’s goods were gradually unloaded and handed over according to previous customs. They would normally stay for at least a month waiting for the merchants to slowly deliver their goods. If they hurriedly set sail, it would instead easily raise suspicion.

Thus, Sheng Changyun arranged several fast ships to send Lu Jiugao and his mother away first. He privately explained to Xu Chun, “It’s not good for the merchants and crew to gossip too much about Mrs. Lu staying on our flagship for long. If the weather turns bad or something, they’ll blame it on the heavy yin energy of women. Moreover, since they have enemies here, it’s better for them to return to Minzhou as soon as possible to avoid unforeseen complications. The escort is made up of our own elite personnel, ensuring safety.”

Xu Chun whispered, “Second Brother, make the arrangements. One day, I want to personally build a ship and train a crew, then let Mother, Qingqian, and the others board a sea-going vessel to see the ocean.”

Sheng Changyun smiled, “Nowadays, there are plenty of women on South Sea and Western ships. These outdated rules should have been changed long ago. Now that Grandfather is getting stronger, the elders of the clan don’t dare criticize us as much considering how we are now. If the school can be successfully established, and the imperial trading post remains stable, our family will have the final say in the clan. Then we can abolish these rules.”

Xu Chun thought, a single clan’s backward customs are so difficult to change, yet Ninth Brother boldly reformed the court and innovated. With the body of a young emperor, he curbed the power of the nobles, confined the empress dowager, abolished the vassal states, and pacified the border regions. It seems he plans to reform the tax laws, open maritime routes, and clean up the administration next. Internally managing the world to enrich the country and its people, externally clearing the seas and subduing pirates. Ninth Brother has a myriad of grand visions in his heart, but he doesn’t have a close friend to help him. Island Master said he seems to be tired of it, I see that Ninth Brother indeed often feels disillusioned.

Thinking of this, his longing grew more intense. He hated how weak he was, unable to assist Ninth Brother much. Returning to his cabin, he laid out pen and ink, and wrote another letter to Ninth Brother.

“Ninth Brother, the South Sea region is blessed with abundant sunlight and warm, humid climate. Its dishes are mostly sour and spicy, fruits are juicy and colorful, and the variety of aromatic leaves and sauces is incredibly rich, resulting in distinctive flavors. I’ve brought some back, when the time comes, I’ll have Nanny Liu cook it for you, it may whet your appetite.”

“Also, I happened to acquire a book on the Lu family’s shipbuilding techniques in the South Sea. It still bears Lu Xiufu’s handwriting, a thousand-year-old legacy that has been obscured here. I originally wanted to bring it back to the Middle Kingdom for printing. But the owner of the auction house, Island Master Shaou, persuaded me that the book was stolen by a descendant and resold, and the patriarch of the Lu family urgently sought its return. Moreover, shipbuilding techniques from hundreds of years ago are no longer entirely applicable and aren’t worth the high price. Island Master acted as a mediator, so I exchanged the book for a talented descendant of the Lu family to bring back to the Middle Kingdom.”

“Island Master Shaou is a remarkable man, a local warlord. Originally, he listened to his ancestors’ wishes and operated in the South Sea, abandoning the hustle and bustle for a life of leisure amidst mountains and waters. But he truly harbors ambitions for the court. Before leaving, he gifted me a box of books, all precious heirlooms of his clan.”

Xu Chun paused, not continuing to write about this matter. As soon as he thought about how Dinghai would perhaps have to report everything in detail to Ninth Brother later, he immediately felt ashamed, not daring to spout nonsense in the letter. When Ninth Brother compares what Dinghai says with what he writes, if there are discrepancies between what Dinghai says and what he writes, he wondered how Ninth Brother would think of him.

He was far away in the rivers and lakes, yet still yearned for that godly and extraordinary emperor above the court. Thinking of that person, who actually stepped down from the nine steps of the palace, personally wiping away his tears, who once patiently explained the meaning of a book to him word by word, who hand-in-hand sketched a leaf of hibiscus, and even did many intimate, unmentionable things together.

That cold and profound face, which may have once decided life and death in the court, treated him tenderly, passionately, and fervently.

Xu Chun’s heart heated up, feeling a surge of passion within him, unwilling to continue writing. He regretted leaving the capital too hastily, unable to properly spend some intimate time with Ninth Brother.

For the moment, he could only turn to describing the scenery and customs of the South Sea, mentioning that he also brought a Western doctor with a deep appearance and unique medical skills. After scribbling a few sentences hastily, he ultimately couldn’t resist revealing his feelings again, “The large ship will need another month to return, the fierce waves rush like a gallop, my heart flies with the sails. Words fail to convey my feelings, I only hope to see my brother again, it’s what I most anticipate.”