Chapter 14 Troubling Zhang Jiao (1/2)

Chapter 14 – Troubling Zhang Jiao

Zhang Jiao sat on the main seat in the main hall, receiving Hua Tuo and his family. They debated about the medical terms and treatment from their experience.

Zhang Jiao was a Taoist and his healing technique came from Taoist teaching. They believed in Yin-Yang and the elemental inner force of men could affect the general health of a person, and emotions were also associated with the internal organs.

Thus, they believed that if a person could maintain positive emotion and mentality, such as love, gentleness, kindness, and happiness, they would not succumb to general illness easily.

In turn, stress and negative emotions were considered harmful to a person health in the Taoist teaching.

Taoism also possessed wide variety of healing techniques and medicines, such as herbs, pills, alcohol, tea, oil, massage, decoction, acupuncture and etc.

Meanwhile, Hua Tuo's medicine knowledge base was from Buddhist teaching.

In Buddhist teaching, there was a law of cause, effect and consequences, AKA Karma. The sickness of a patient had its root, and the cause could always be explained. There would be no such thing as a sickness that popped up out of nowhere without a source.

They also had similar healing technique like Taoism, such as herbs, diets, therapy and etc.

Hua Tuo was an open-minded person when it comes to the medical practices. He absorbed every kinds of techniques of other teaching like a sponge, and combined it into one of his own.

Both Zhang Jiao and Hua Tuo chatted and laughed for an hour. Then Hua Tuo realized he had forgotten his purpose of this visit.

”Right, I've forgotten what I've come here for. My apologies, teacher Zhang.”

”No worry, no worry. It's been a while since I last had a good chat with someone on the same field. Take your time.”

”Haha, thank you teacher Zhang. But I've come here to discuss about something else. Come, Shi'er, greet teacher Zhang.”

For an hour, Hua Shi sat there listening to the conversation in patience. She was threaten by Hua Tuo that if she played truant or didn't follow his order then she would be disowned.

Hua Shi had no choice but to comply. A 16-year-old single girl could not possibly survive alone in this era, unless she had a death wish or wanted to be ravished and ended up working as a prostitute in the future.

Without Hua Tuo's backing, Hua Shi had no confident that she could rely on her special skill or her knowledge to survive by herself at her current age.

”Hua Shi greets teacher Zhang.”

Hua Shi stepped up and greeted Zhang Jiao. Her mother had dressed her up like a noble young lady for this occasion.

Zhang Jiao nodded, observing Hua Shi from head to toe. His eyes flickered a moment and returned its calm.

”Good girl, I heard you came here with teacher Hua yesterday?”

”Yes, we bought a few boxes of soap from young master Zhang yesterday.” Hua Shi replied.

”Hoh? All of you were here yesterday?”

”Yes, we couldn't find you here yesterday so we visited young master Zhang first. Please forgive us for our inconsideration.” Hua Tuo explained.

Zhang Jiao touched his beard. He fell into deep thought. He was already aware of Tong's secret soap business and other goods he collected in his warehouse.

Tong started acting on his own without consulting him since he was five. Zhang Jiao was worried as he didn't know how to be a good father. He was too busy teaching his disciples and performing duty as a healer in this village and the surrounding.

Therefore, he left Tong alone, believing that he was lonely and wanted something to do to kill times. However, times proved him wrong.

Every year, Tong always did something strange that broke the common sense of a child. For example, he ordered his servants to gather or buy materials in bulk with his pocket money, such as olive oil and Gui Flower seeds. Then Tong cooped up in his room, experimenting something smelly.

Two years later, Tong snatched the main hall, moved away all furniture and flooded the room with strange flowery-odor oily brown liquid. Tong claimed that he needed a place with even-floor or it would be ugly. Then after a week, all the liquid was solidified and was cut into several hand-size block, and Tong's soap was revealed to the family.

After that day, Zhang Jiao allocated two buildings for Tong to manage his own business.

Then last night, Tong snuck out of the resident and came back injured.

Zhang Jiao had no idea why Tong went out at night and what Tong's connection with the death of five children and two guards was.

And now Hua Tuo suddenly introduced his daughter to him. It wasn't hard to guess what Hua Tuo planned to do next if it was during normal time.

But this time the matter was very sensitive. Hua Tuo and his family came to see Tong yesterday and the incident happened soon after. It was too suspicious! This was too much for a coincidence!

Zhang Jiao was afraid that Hua Tuo might have a connection of the incident last night, or Hua Tuo schemed to harm his son by using his daughter.

Zhang Jiao didn't have any solid proof to confirm his conjecture, so he chose to wait and see Hua Tuo's next move.

”Teacher Zhang, how about it? What do you think of my daughter?” Hua Tuo asked.

'Figured. Trying to offer your daughter to become someone's wife?' Zhang Jiao scoffed in his mind.

”She'll grow up into a fine lady alright. I'll be jealous of any man who can gain your daughter's favor.”