Volume One, Chapter 13: Xu Da Seeks Medical Help, Accompanied by Xu Miaoyun

Xu Da, a founding military commander of the Ming Dynasty and one of the twenty-four generals of Western Huai, was a cautious man skilled in military discipline. Having spent his life in warfare, he made immortal contributions to the establishment of the Ming Dynasty.

Born into a farming family, Xu Da joined the uprising led by Zhu Yuanzhang at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, fighting alongside him to conquer the world. He captured Dadu and brought an end to the Yuan Dynasty.

He rose to the ranks of Grand Tutor, Right Chancellor of the Secretariat, participating in state affairs while serving as Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince, and was ennobled as Duke of Wei.

Xu Da’s eldest daughter, Xu Miaoyun, married Zhu Di, the fourth son of Zhu Yuanzhang, making the two families relatives by marriage.

“The Duke of Wei’s back ailment must be a carbuncle. Let him come to the clinic—I’ll take a look,” Xia Jingtian nodded.

Xia Jingtian had previously studied Ming history and knew from the records that Duke Xu Da died from a back carbuncle.

“Xu Da was originally stationed in Yanjing, but after developing this carbuncle, he returned to Yingtian. He has seen both doctors and imperial physicians, but none could cure him. That’s why I want him to come to the clinic, so Doctor Xia can treat him,” Zhu Yuanzhang explained.

“No problem. My clinic exists to heal the sick. Let him come—I’m sure he can enter the clinic,” Xia Jingtian readily agreed.

Afterward, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao left the clinic and returned to the palace to attend to state affairs.

That afternoon, Xia Jingtian was drying medicinal herbs in a small courtyard.

Zhu Biao came to the clinic again, this time accompanied by a burly man in his fifties and a young woman about twenty years old, who was supporting the man.

“Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince. This must be the Duke of Wei? And this lady?” Xia Jingtian asked curiously.

“Yes, this is Marshal Xu Da, Duke of Wei. This is my fourth younger brother’s princess consort, Xu Miaoyun. She accompanied the Duke from Yanjing back to Yingtian,” Zhu Biao introduced.

Xu Miaoyun!

Xia Jingtian was astonished to see that the beautiful and exceptionally elegant woman before him was indeed Xu Miaoyun.

Historically, Xu Miaoyun was the Empress Renxiao, the primary wife of Emperor Yongle Zhu Di, and a legendary figure.

She was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, fond of reading and writing, and was known as a “female scholar” in her time.

She shared thirty years with Zhu Di, bearing seven of his nine children.

Seventeen years after her death, Zhu Di did not appoint another empress, demonstrating the depth of his affection for her.

“Your Highness, this must be the famous divine doctor you mentioned. He’s so young—can he really treat illnesses?” Xu Miaoyun asked doubtfully.

“My fourth brother’s wife, don’t be deceived by his youth. Doctor Xia’s medical skills are extraordinary. When Xiong Ying had smallpox, no one in Yingtian could cure him. When the Emperor brought him to the clinic, he was already without breath or heartbeat. It was Doctor Xia who revived him—I saw it with my own eyes. Now Xiong Ying is running around and will recover fully soon. And recently, when smallpox broke out in Yingtian, it was Doctor Xia’s variolation method that controlled the epidemic,” Zhu Biao praised.

Though Zhu Biao spoke highly, Xu Miaoyun remained skeptical.

“Your Highness, since you place such trust in Doctor Xia, his skills must indeed be exceptional. Then we look forward to his treatment,” Xu Da said with a courteous smile.

“Thank you for your trust, Duke of Wei. Come into the clinic; I will examine you,” Xia Jingtian said.

The three followed Xia Jingtian into the clinic.

“This clinic is impressive—it even connects to the palace walls. I’ve never seen anything like this,” Xu Miaoyun remarked curiously.

“This clinic can only be accessed by those destined to enter; not everyone can come here. The palace maids and guards cannot enter,” Zhu Biao explained.

Xu Miaoyun wore a look of disbelief, having never encountered such a clinic.

“Duke of Wei, please remove your clothes and lie on the bed. I want to check your back,” Xia Jingtian instructed.

With Xu Miaoyun’s assistance, Xu Da struggled somewhat but managed to remove his clothes and lie down.

There, on his back was a fist-sized carbuncle, inflamed and swollen—shocking to behold.

Zhu Biao was stunned upon seeing the severe condition of Xu Da’s back and exclaimed, “Duke of Wei, your back ailment is so serious! Doctor Xia must cure you and ease your suffering.”

The Time-Space Divine Doctor System appeared before Xia Jingtian once again.

[Mission assigned: Treat Xu Da’s back carbuncle to receive a reward.]

After examination, Xia Jingtian said, “A carbuncle is a suppurative infection of the skin and deep tissues on the back, usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus bacteria. Patients may experience back pain, redness, swelling, increased skin temperature, and a clearly fluctuating abscess. As the condition worsens, chills, high fever, and systemic toxicity symptoms may appear, which can be life-threatening.”

Xu Da, Xu Miaoyun, and Zhu Biao were all astonished at Xia Jingtian’s description.

Although they could not grasp all the medical details, they heard the words “toxicity” and “life-threatening” loud and clear.

“Please, Doctor Xia, you must find a way to cure my father,” Xu Miaoyun pleaded earnestly.

“Duke of Wei’s condition is complicated. The carbuncle has developed into an abscess the size of a fist and requires surgical incision and drainage. Only surgery can thoroughly remove the pus and necrotic tissue,” Xia Jingtian explained.

“Doctor Xia, what does the surgery entail? Is it dangerous?” Xu Miaoyun asked with concern.

Surgery means cutting open the abscess on Duke of Wei’s back to clear out the pus, then stitching and sterilizing the wound to cure the illness. “Don’t worry, I have anesthesia. The surgery will be painless,” Xia Jingtian assured.

Despite the reassurance, Xu Miaoyun looked worried. Xu Da, however, was indifferent.

“Back then, Hua Tuo scraped the bone to treat Guan Yu’s poison, and he survived. How could I not endure cutting open a carbuncle?” Xu Da said with nonchalance.

Xia Jingtian admired him—truly the most valiant general of the Ming, full of heroic spirit.

“No! I know Doctor Xia’s skills are superb, and he comes from hundreds of years in the future. He can treat Duke of Wei without pain during surgery. I earnestly request Doctor Xia to ensure no suffering and to cure him,” the Crown Prince said, bowing respectfully.

Xia Jingtian was surprised by the Crown Prince Zhu Biao’s kindness and humility, lowering his status so earnestly for Xu Da’s treatment.

“Your Highness, rest assured, I will cure Duke of Wei. Let him change clothes first; we need to prepare before surgery,” Xia Jingtian said.

Thus, Xu Da was admitted to a three-bed ward on the second floor. The clinic had gained a new patient.