The physician firmly refused Zhao Hanzhang.

Even when Zhao Hanzhang stated clearly that she had a large number of people in Wu’an County and could send the physician back to Yuzhou to settle once she connected with them, the physician still didn’t believe her.

If this had been half a month ago, he would certainly have believed her. Ten days ago, he might have been half-skeptical. But this was his nineteenth day as a refugee, and the physician would not believe her empty promises.

Zhao Hanzhang could only watch him leave with regret, then lowered her head and said to the unconscious Shi Lei, “General Shi, I have done my best. The timing is wrong, and people are uncooperative. Whether you can survive depends on your willpower.”

The unconscious Shi Lei seemed to hear her. His eyelids trembled, and after struggling for a while, he still couldn’t open them.

Zhao Hanzhang was lazy. Although the physician had prescribed different dosages, the required herbs were the same. With only one pot, she was really too lazy to wait. She directly had Fu’an boil medicine for both of them at once, and after it was done, they each drank a bowl.

Shi Hongtu force-fed Shi Lei his portion, which wasn’t too difficult. He seemed to know this was saving him. As soon as the medicine touched his lips, he automatically began swallowing.

Fu Tinghan couldn’t help but say, “No wonder he’s survived this long.”

This will to survive wasn’t something everyone possessed.

Zhao Hanzhang leaned against him and hummed, “My will to survive is also very strong.”

Having said that, she fell asleep leaning on Fu Tinghan.

Fu Tinghan looked down at her quietly for a while, softly said “Mm,” then looked toward Shi Hongtu and said in a low voice, “Tonight you four divide up—two per group on night watch.”

Shi Hongtu acknowledged the order.

He glanced at Fu’an and paired him with Yu Fang, having the two of them take the first watch while he and Wang Yun rested first.

Those who rested first were at a disadvantage because they would only sleep briefly before being woken up, then had to keep their eyes open until dawn with little chance to rest again before starting the journey.

When he woke up, Shi Hongtu had thoughtfully put medicine on to boil. Fu’an, about to go to sleep after his shift change, was startled when he saw this. “Why are you boiling medicine?”

Shi Hongtu replied, “So Miss can drink another bowl when dawn comes.”

Fu’an said, “But… but she just drank a bowl of medicine not long ago. It hasn’t even been two hours since then, right?”

“What does that matter? As long as there’s a time gap between doses, it’s fine. Medicine—the more you drink, the better. It won’t hurt you.”

Fu’an was speechless.

Zhao Hanzhang shared his way of thinking. At dawn, after chewing on a cake, she soon after took the medicine bowl and downed it in one gulp, then poured another bowl and handed it to Yu Fang. “Feed it to him.”

Zhao Hanzhang pointed at Shi Lei.

Yu Fang took the order and went to administer the medicine. Fu’an, who had been watching her, breathed a sigh of relief and couldn’t help but step forward to lecture, “Miss, medicine isn’t taken this way. You must follow the physician’s orders.”

Zhao Hanzhang nodded, looking as if she completely agreed, then turned around and instructed Wang Yun, “Add some more water to the pot. There’s still half a bowl of medicine left in there. I looked at the residue—it’s only been boiled twice and is still good. Boil it again, and later we’ll put it in a bamboo tube. At noon we’ll drink it again.”

Fu’an protested, “…The physician said one bowl morning and evening, boiling one dose of medicine twice. And your dosage is different from that Shi what’s-his-name…”

“I know, I know,” Zhao Hanzhang said. “Rest assured, once we return to the main camp, I’ll definitely follow the physician’s orders. It’s just that we’re outside now, right? Everything must be simplified.”

Fu’an wanted to continue persuading her, but Fu Tinghan, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly said, “Stop trying to persuade her. Just let it be.”

Fu’an looked at him in disbelief. “Young master, how can you also…”

“Refined methods have refined treatments, crude methods have crude treatments. Right now, the crude method suits her.”

For some reason, Zhao Hanzhang sheepishly fell silent.

Fu’an also stopped talking.

They packed up their things and immediately prepared to leave carrying Shi Lei. Awei came running over in a hurry. “Why didn’t you wait for me?”

Zhao Hanzhang and the others were also surprised. “Why are you back?”

Zhao Hanzhang had deliberately sent him back to get his family’s consent specifically hoping the Gu family would stop him. She hadn’t expected him to return.

Awei wasn’t stupid. His brow immediately furrowed. “Didn’t you say you would take me?”

Zhao Hanzhang asked, “Did your mother agree?”

“She agreed.”

Really?

Zhao Hanzhang turned to look toward the Gu family’s direction. The Gu family members were all standing together in the distance, also looking this way. When they saw Zhao Hanzhang look over, although their expressions were grim, they still nodded to her.

Zhao Hanzhang’s feelings were complicated. She turned to look at Awei, who was carrying his luggage on his back. “You must think this through. Following me, you might achieve merit and glory, but you might also die a violent death.”

Awei’s expression turned serious. “A good man should have great ambitions. If I die for my ambitions, I will have no regrets in this life.”

Zhao Hanzhang was somewhat moved and asked him, “What are your great ambitions?”

Awei lifted his neck proudly. “To become a great general, a high official, to bring glory to my ancestors and raise my head high in my hometown.”

“…” Zhao Hanzhang paused before praising loudly, “Excellent ambition!”

Although it was a bit vulgar, great vulgarity was great refinement. Wasn’t this actually the ambition of the vast majority of people in the world?

Moreover, those who dared to work hard toward this ambition were few, and among this minority, even fewer dared to speak it aloud.

In the Wei-Jin period, such words would be criticized as vulgar.

Zhao Hanzhang thought his attitude was very good. If this was what you truly thought in your heart, you should express it. She didn’t mind at all if her subordinates had ambition.

She hoped they would be more ambitious. Sufficient ambition could stimulate talent and courage.

Hearing Zhao Hanzhang’s praise, Awei’s eyes shone brightly. “Miss also thinks my ambition is good and doesn’t think I’m a vulgar person?”

Zhao Hanzhang laughed heartily. “Though vulgar, you are not common. You are very frank, and I like frank people.”

Awei was overjoyed. He turned to look at his mother and elder brothers and called out loudly, “Mother, brothers, did you hear that? I told you she’s my true patron!”

From two quarter-hours ago, refugees had been getting up and leaving. Now the sunlight was just right, with the morning glow shining on people’s bodies, making Young Master Gu seem gilded with a layer of golden light that was dazzling to the eyes.

Mother Gu couldn’t help but lower her head to wipe away tears from the corners of her eyes, nodded to her youngest son, then turned and left.

Young Master Gu’s brothers hesitated before stepping forward to meet Zhao Hanzhang. “Miss Zhao, please treat our seventh brother well. He’s not very smart, but he has a sincere heart and great strength…”

After talking for a long time, he didn’t really know what he was saying. In the end, he could only say, “If one day you feel seventh brother is no longer useful, please send him to Chen County in Yuzhou. Our family has decided to settle in Chen County.”

Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes flashed with amusement as she said to him, “Since you’re going to Chen County, you might as well go to Taotie Tower and find the manager. Tell them you’re old acquaintances of mine, Zhao Hezhen, and ask them to look after you. You can also leave an address, and when seventh brother returns to Chen County, he can come find you.”

Hearing her describe the location in such detail, the Gu brothers’ expressions improved somewhat. They turned to look at Young Master Gu. “Awei, since you’ve made your decision, you must work hard and not be too stubborn, understand?”

For Young Master Gu to be standing here, it had cost him nearly breaking ties with his family.

He was like someone possessed, particularly convinced that Zhao Hanzhang could lead him to a bright future. To use Zhao Hanzhang’s private description to Fu Tinghan, “It’s like telecom fraud. It’s made me think back several times—I don’t think I said anything particularly bewitching, did I? How can he trust me so much?”

The pressure was immense.