The two men stopped speaking, slowly savoring the fine wine.
As Fang Er finished his bowl of wine, he looked at Cheng Yaojin sitting opposite him and felt that it would be good to disclose the matter of Jieli. Before he could speak, Cheng Yaojin put down his wine bowl and spoke first.
"Little brother, I see you haven't even hung a plaque at your main entrance. Did you just move in?"
"Reporting to General Cheng, I, Fang, just bought this residence yesterday. I originally lived in Fang Family Village in Gao Ling, but I heard a traveling physician say that the grassland is preparing to invade from Gao Ling in late August. I suppose this is me fleeing for my life."
Using Cheng Yaojin's words as a pretext, Fang Er casually mentioned a traveling physician and revealed the news of Jieli's impending invasion.
"What did you say?"
Cheng Yaojin slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly.
"Is your news reliable? Where is that traveling physician now? Can he be found?"
He grabbed Fang Er's clothes and roared impatiently.
"General Cheng, please calm down. I merely heard about it, and I don't know where that physician went. It was just a few days ago that I had a high fever that wouldn't subside, and the physician happened to pass by my house. Upon hearing this, he helped me reduce the fever. He casually mentioned that Gao Ling was about to become a battlefield. Under my enticement, he finally said that Jieli would invade at the end of August. That's why I hurriedly came to Chang'an City to settle down."
Fang Er quickly explained.
When he had first transmigrated, there was indeed a traveling physician, but that fellow was an absolute quack. The original owner of this body must have died from his treatment, giving Fang Er the opportunity to take his place.
Fang Er felt no psychological burden in blaming such a person.
Cheng Yaojin released Fang Er, sank back into his chair, and rubbed his face with both hands.
"Little brother, do not mention this matter to anyone else, understand! Anyone at all. I am going into the palace immediately to see the Emperor. If the matter is true, you have rendered great service! Farewell!"
After a moment, he suddenly stood up, cupped his hands in a salute to Fang Er, and left directly.
Fang Er understood his current mood.
These men had followed Li Er through numerous campaigns for years. The situation had just stabilized, and suddenly hearing such news, it was understandable that they would be somewhat agitated.
Returning to his room, he saw Zhu Zi had not yet slept. He took out two capsules of cephalosporin and asked Xiao Qing to bring water for Zhu Zi to take them.
Looking at the half-green and half-white small pills, Zhu Zi did not ask any questions and swallowed them in one go. He then took the water brought by Xiao Qing and drank a few mouthfuls.
"Thank you, young master."
Zhu Zi wiped the water from his lips and said to Fang Er.
"We are all family. Besides, you were injured protecting me. You should rest here and recover. When you are better, you can continue protecting me. For the next few days, Xiao Qing will bring you meals. Do not move around casually, be careful not to split your wound."
Fang Er pulled the blanket over Zhu Zi, carefully covering the wound area.
"It is summer now, with many flies and insects. It would be bad if they bit you."
"How can this be, young master? I should return to the back courtyard. How can I lie on the young master's bed? I am not worthy."
Seeing the young master pulling a blanket over him to cover his wound, Zhu Zi's eyes instantly reddened, and he said with a choked voice.
"What are you not worthy of? If I tell you to accept it, then accept it. Alright, get some rest quickly."
With that, Fang Er went out the door, with Xiao Qing following close behind.
Outside the door, Fang Er took out a blister pack of cephalosporin, popped out the pills one by one, and handed them to Xiao Qing.
"Remember, three times a day, two pills each time, let Zhu Zi take them. This will prevent the wound from worsening."
Xiao Qing took the pills and asked Fang Er timidly.
"Young master, Brother Zhu Zi is staying in your room. Why don't you come and rest in my room? I will sleep with Xiao Huan."
Fang Er looked at Xiao Qing playfully, hooking her chin with his hand. "Why go sleep with Xiao Huan? Don't you want to accompany me, your young master?"
Seeing Fang Er with a mischievous smile, Xiao Qing fled in a panic.
She had never seen the young master like this.
"Hahahaha!"
Fang Er laughed heartily, watching Xiao Qing's flustered figure.
With his hands behind his back, he walked towards the side room.
In the side room, Xiao Qing took off her outer clothes and lay down on Xiao Huan's bed.
Xiao Huan was still young, only twelve years old. In later generations, she would be considered just a slightly older child.
Today was Xiao Qing's turn to attend to Fang Er, so she went to bed early.
Despite the fighting and talking outside, she had not been woken up.
Glancing at the sleeping young girl, Xiao Qing turned over and lay on the bed, secretly looking towards the door.
Her mind was churning.
"What's wrong with the young master today? He actually asked me to sleep with him."
"But what if the young master really wants me to sleep with him when he comes later?"
"However, seeing how good the young master is to Brother Zhu Zi, I am truly touched."
Unconsciously, a faint blush crept onto Xiao Qing's cheeks.
Just then, Fang Er's figure appeared in her line of sight.
Xiao Qing quickly closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep.
Fang Er did not really intend for Xiao Qing to sleep with him; he had just wanted to play a joke.
He lay down on Xiao Qing's bed fully clothed, inhaling the faint scent of the young girl.
Fang Er gradually fell asleep.
Listening to the soft snores emanating from him.
Xiao Qing, for some reason, felt a trace of disappointment in her heart.
"The young master actually fell asleep like this?"
While Fang Er was happily dreaming, the imperial palace was in an uproar.
Cheng Yaojin, in the middle of the night, had the palace gates opened and met Li Er. After carefully recounting the news, Li Er was greatly alarmed and immediately ordered guards to summon all the ministers to the Taiji Palace.
The ministers had all gone to bed, but their gates were knocked open by Li Er's Xuanjia soldiers. Upon learning that Li Er had summoned them, they dared not delay. They quickly changed their clothes and headed towards the palace.
Li Er looked at Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Gong, Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, and Du Ruhui standing below.
Those below looked at each other, all bewildered, not knowing why they were summoned in the middle of the night for important discussions.
"General Cheng has just received news that Jieli will invade the south in late August. What are your opinions, my esteemed ministers?"
Li Er sat cross-legged on the dragon couch, looking at the people below, and said calmly.
During the Tang Dynasty, there were no chairs, only hu benches and various styles of couches.
The Japanese tatami mats originated from the Tang Dynasty.
"Your Majesty, for this news, from what source did General Cheng obtain it? Is it reliable?"
Li Ji was currently the governor of Bingzhou and paid particular attention to matters on the grassland.
Li Er looked at Cheng Yaojin. "Tell them the circumstances."
Cheng Yaojin stepped forward and recounted the events after meeting Fang Er.
"General Cheng, putting aside the reliability of this news for a moment, let us first discuss how we should respond if Jieli indeed attacks."
Li Er, after listening to him finish, turned to ask the assembled officials.