Liu Hongji nodded slightly and said to Physician Jiang, “Can silver needles detect epidemic poison?”

“Of course.” After receiving a definitive answer, Liu Hongji pointed to the pile of stones and discarded crossbow bolts, “Then please examine them immediately, Physician Jiang.”

Facing the medicine box that Du Ruhui handed over, Physician Jiang said with difficulty understanding, “Sir, you mean to examine these stones?”

Liu Hongji nodded, “That’s right. General Du and I, after much deliberation, feel that these stones and crossbow bolts are very likely the source of the epidemic.”

Although Physician Jiang felt his words were too absurd, since Liu Hongji had spoken, no matter how absurd, he could only comply. However, when the silver needle approached the stone, he no longer felt it was “absurd” at all, because the originally snow-bright silver needle had turned blue-black, exactly like those soldiers infected with the epidemic.

He couldn’t spare words and hurriedly took out several more silver needles to test other stones and crossbow bolts. Without exception, they all turned blue-black. He said incoherently, “How can this be… This is impossible, it can’t be, it shouldn’t be like this…”

Although Physician Jiang didn’t directly answer them, these words and the color-changed silver needles were enough to explain everything. Their guess was correct – the source of the epidemic that had troubled them for so long was here!

After a moment, Physician Jiang came to his senses, but still looked incredulous, “All epidemics are caused by natural disasters and spread between people. The source could be humans or animals, but it absolutely cannot be stones and crossbow bolts. This… this shouldn’t be!”

Liu Hongji said word by word, “Because this is not a natural disaster, but a man-made calamity!”

Physician Jiang was shocked, then blurted out, “Sir Liu means this epidemic was artificially caused? This… this is impossible. No one can control epidemic poison.”

“Then how does Physician Jiang explain the epidemic poison on the stones and crossbow bolts?” This question from Du Ruhui left Physician Jiang speechless. After a long while, he said, “If someone truly mastered epidemic poison, that would be truly terrifying. Whenever he wanted, he could turn a perfectly good city into a living hell!”

Liu Hongji gritted his teeth slightly, “I’ve read medical books. Some epidemic poisons require contact to transmit, while others can transmit even without contact, correct?”

Physician Jiang nodded, “Yes, that’s the most terrifying type of epidemic. Even without speaking, just standing beside an infected person for a while can cause transmission.”

Liu Hongji pondered for a moment, “The transmission in our army isn’t too severe, so it shouldn’t be this type.”

“It’s blood!” Du Ruhui suddenly said, “The second batch of infected people all had contact with the blood of infected patients. I think this is the transmission route.”

Liu Hongji nodded and said to Physician Jiang, “Is there progress on the prescription?”

Just as Physician Jiang was about to speak, a soldier came running quickly toward them. Upon seeing them, he hurriedly saluted and said breathlessly, “Physician Jiang, good that you’re here. General Yuchi is looking for you everywhere.”

Physician Jiang asked puzzledly, “What does he want with me?”

“I don’t know either, but from General Yuchi’s appearance, it seems urgent. You’d better hurry over.” Hearing this, Physician Jiang didn’t dare delay and quickly followed him to see Yuchi Jingde, with Liu Hongji and Du Ruhui following closely behind.

Yuchi Jingde was pacing anxiously in circles. Seeing him appear, he rushed over like meeting a savior, charging over like a gust of wind, “Physician Jiang, good that you’re here. Quickly go see His Maj… the patient!”

Although Yuchi Jingde changed his words in time, how could Physician Jiang not understand? It seemed Li Shimin’s condition had changed. After dismissing the soldier, he quickly followed to Li Shimin’s tent, with Liu Hongji and Du Ruhui equally anxious.

Entering the tent, Physician Qi was already there, taking Li Shimin’s pulse with a grave expression. The latter’s condition was really not good – since yesterday, blisters had been appearing one after another.

After Physicians Jiang and Qi went to discuss the condition, Liu Hongji came to Yuchi Jingde’s side and asked quietly, “Has His Majesty’s condition worsened?”

“Yes, I thought His Majesty hadn’t eaten anything all day, so I brought a bowl of thin porridge with some fine salt, thinking he should eat something at least. But before I could feed him, His Majesty suddenly began convulsing non-stop – so frightening. Seeing the situation was wrong, I quickly went to fetch the physicians, but only Physician Qi was available, so I had people search everywhere for Physician Jiang. Were you with them?”

Du Ruhui nodded, “We found the source of the epidemic.”

Yuchi Jingde was stunned and quickly said, “Does this mean you know where the epidemic came from?”

“It should be correct.” As Du Ruhui spoke, Li Shimin, who had been lying quietly on the bed, suddenly began convulsing again. Physician Jiang pressed him down while prying open his mouth, fearing that in the convulsions he might bite off his tongue. Physician Qi took silver needles and quickly inserted them into Li Shimin’s body. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Li Shimin finally became quiet again.

Yuchi Jingde was the most anxious and stepped forward, “How is His Majesty’s condition?”

Physician Qi wiped the sweat from his forehead, “No immediate danger, but…”

Seeing him hesitate to continue, Yuchi Jingde urgently prompted, “But what? Just say it all at once!”

“But His Majesty’s condition is very bad. If this continues…” Physician Qi said through gritted teeth, “His Majesty probably won’t survive three days!”

These words were like a giant hammer, striking everyone’s heads hard, leaving them speechless for a long time. Won’t survive three days… that meant in three days, Li Shimin would die!

Yuchi Jingde was the first to react, rushing forward to grab Physician Qi by the collar and lifting him from the ground, shouting sternly, “I’m telling you, if His Majesty has any mishap, I’ll twist off your head. Do you hear me?!”

Physician Qi was choked by the collar and couldn’t even breathe, let alone speak. Seeing this, Du Ruhui stepped forward and grabbed Yuchi Jingde’s arm, “If Brother Yuchi truly wants His Majesty to be safe, quickly let go!”

Yuchi Jingde snorted coldly, released his grip, and stared at the gasping Physician Qi and the frightened Physician Jiang beside him, “In any case, if His Majesty has any problems, I’ll hold you two responsible!”

Although Liu Hongji was also worried about Li Shimin’s condition, he could still barely keep his composure, “Two physicians, is there truly no way to treat His Majesty?”

Physician Jiang gritted his teeth, “Actually, Physician Qi and I have thought of a prescription that might be able to treat His Majesty.”

Hearing this, Yuchi Jingde said urgently, “If there’s a prescription, why not use it? Is it because there aren’t enough medicinal materials? Tell me what materials you need, and I’ll ride to the medicine shops to buy them right now, or go to the mountains to gather them. I’ll definitely bring them back!”