Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Divine Physician Hua Tuo

Hearing the words of the Yellow Turbans, both Ju Shou and Cheng Yu could not help but furrow their brows. At last, they understood why Liu Yao held such disdain for these Taoist priests with yellow scarves. If such methods could truly heal the sick, then the Han Empire would not lose so many to illness each year.

“Is that so? Then let me see for myself how your Great Teacher blesses you,” Liu Yao sneered coldly, the corners of his mouth curling up. “Shi A, break one of his legs for me.”

“Yes, my lord,” Shi A replied. In the next instant, he appeared beside the Yellow Turban and kicked him hard.

A miserable scream rang out, and the Yellow Turban clutched his leg, writhing in agony on the ground.

Liu Yao watched with satisfaction, casting a disdainful glance at the others. “What’s wrong? Now that your companion is in pain and misery, why don’t you bring out your talismans and water, let your Great Teacher relieve his suffering?”

“This…” The remaining Yellow Turbans broke out in a cold sweat, momentarily at a loss. Naturally, they knew the so-called talisman water was nothing but a ruse.

“Hmph! And you dare claim you’re not peddling superstitions?” Liu Yao snorted. “Get out of my sight! If I catch you spreading your deceit in Youzhou again, you’d better watch your worthless lives!” He had no intention of killing these men; instead, he wanted them to carry a message to Zhang Jue: Youzhou would not tolerate the presence of the Yellow Turban cult. He would not have them causing chaos in his province and bringing him unnecessary trouble.

“Thank you, my lord! Thank you, my lord!” The men kowtowed repeatedly, then hurriedly carried off their injured companion, vanishing from sight as quickly as they could.

“Well then, Gongyu, do you see the peculiarity in these people?” Liu Yao asked.

Ju Shou, still frowning, responded, “My lord, these Yellow Turbans are not only spreading their so-called blessings and falsehoods in our Youzhou, but also leave their traces in Jizhou, Qingzhou, and elsewhere. Their ambitions are surely not small.”

Liu Yao gazed up at the sky and sighed. “You’re right, Gongyu. The empire is on the verge of chaos. Yet, this is just as well. Only in turmoil can we fish in troubled waters and establish a new Han amidst the disorder.”

Ju Shou considered for a moment and said, “Then, my lord, how should we handle these Yellow Turbans? Should we inform the court?”

“No need!” Liu Yao shook his head. For now, the Yellow Turbans were still of use to him. “Gongyu, pass my order: all covert units across the land are to watch the movements of the Yellow Turban cult closely. And not a single Yellow Turban is to proselytize in my Youzhou—should any be found, drive them out at once. If they return, show no mercy.”

“Yes, my lord,” Ju Shou replied. Cheng Yu, standing by, could not hide his delight. After all, Liu Yao was no soft-hearted man, but one decisive and ruthless—a quality essential for great undertakings.

Having settled the matter of the Yellow Turbans, Liu Yao now recalled the wandering physician who had been watching from a distance. From the martial skill displayed moments earlier, Liu Yao knew at once that this was no ordinary healer; he wished to approach and make his acquaintance.

But before he could, Shi A stepped forward, blocking Liu Yao’s path and fixing the physician with a wary gaze. Surprised by Shi A’s actions, Liu Yao paused.

Shi A leaned in and whispered in Liu Yao’s ear, “My lord, be careful. This man is a formidable master.”

A jolt ran through Liu Yao’s heart. Anyone who could make Shi A so cautious was certainly no ordinary man. Who could have guessed that this seemingly unremarkable itinerant doctor possessed such martial prowess?

“Heh, I am but a humble wandering physician. I bear no ill will toward you, my lord; there’s no need for such wariness,” the old physician said serenely.

Shi A was startled as though his fur had been brushed the wrong way. He was shocked—the words he had spoken just now could only have been heard by Liu Yao and himself, and yet the physician, standing forty or fifty paces away, had overheard them. His vigilance increased.

“It’s all right,” Liu Yao said, motioning Shi A aside. He stepped forward with measured tread. “I am Liu Yao, Governor of Youzhou. May I ask, sir, your honored name?”

“I am Hua Tuo, styled Yuanhua, here to pay my respects to the Governor,” Hua Tuo replied with a bow.

“You are Hua Tuo?” Liu Yao could not help but exclaim, his heart surging with shock and delight. Shock, because in five thousand years of Chinese history there had been many divine physicians—Bian Que, Sun Simiao, Li Shizhen, and others—but none so renowned as Hua Tuo. In his previous life, anyone whose medical skill was praised was said to rival Hua Tuo, a testament to the doctor’s fame and mastery.

As for his delight, there were many reasons for that. First, the great challenge before him—a plague—could now be resolved. Second, Huang Zhong’s son, Huang Xu, though his illness had improved over the years, had never fully recovered. Liu Yao had sent men to seek out Hua Tuo, but the physician’s whereabouts were elusive. Now, by chance, he had come knocking on their door. With Hua Tuo’s help, Huang Xu’s illness would finally be cured, and Liu Yao could give an account to Huang Zhong. Lastly, traditional medicine placed great importance on health and longevity. If he could persuade Hua Tuo to stay, neither he nor his subordinates would be troubled by illness again. Under Hua Tuo’s care, living to a hundred years or more might not be impossible. Long life was the dream of every ruler, and Liu Yao was no exception.

Hua Tuo was moved by Liu Yao’s enthusiasm; though he had often received gratitude from those he treated, never before had he been met with such warmth and sincerity—especially from a man as exalted as a provincial governor.

“I do not dare accept such honor. I am but a humble old man from the countryside,” Hua Tuo said, waving his hand. “My lord, if any of your family are ill and require my help, I will do my utmost.”

“We can speak of that later. For now, let us first address the matter before us,” Liu Yao replied. Huang Xu’s illness was not urgent; the plague took precedence.

“Of course, my lord,” Hua Tuo said, recalling the many villagers still waiting for his help.

“Physician Hua, do you have a cure for this plague? If it spreads, what shall we do?” Liu Yao asked anxiously.

“My lord, a few doses of medicine will suffice to cure this plague. As for preventing its spread, there’s no need to worry. Simply separate the healthy villagers from the sick, and burn all their clothes and belongings. In this way, the plague cannot be transmitted further,” Hua Tuo answered with confidence.

On hearing this, Liu Yao pressed urgently, “Then why wait, Physician Hua? Please write the prescriptions at once. All the medicines in my residence are at your disposal.”

Seeing Liu Yao’s eagerness, Hua Tuo was moved; never before had he met an official so devoted to his people’s welfare. His admiration for Liu Yao grew.

Hua Tuo quickly prepared the prescriptions. Liu Yao immediately ordered his guards to fetch the medicines and had all the patients’ clothing burned. Even Ju Shou and Cheng Yu were roped in to help, but they did not find it beneath them. On the contrary, they grew only more loyal and respectful toward their lord, who loved his people as his own children.

It took the entire group the better part of the day to resolve the matter, and by then, the sun had already sunk below the horizon.