Chapter 145 The Glory of Daliang City

The next day, the group changed boats early in Zhenjiang and set off north along the Grand Canal without any further trouble. The scenery on both banks gradually changed from the water towns of southern China to the plains of the Central Plains, with neat fields, interconnected villages, and occasional cargo boats passing by, their boatmen singing work songs, creating a busy scene.

More than half a month later, the ship arrived in Kaifeng.

Kaifeng, formerly known as Bianliang, was the former capital of the Northern Song Dynasty, Tokyo. Although it no longer enjoys its former prosperity, it remains an important town in the Central Plains. The city walls are majestic, the moat wide, and the docks are lined with sails, bustling with merchants. The main road into the city is teeming with carriages and horses, peddlers carrying loads, monks begging for alms, itinerant performers—a diverse and vibrant scene.

Sarutobi Higetsu stood on the ship's railing, looking at the bustling scene on the shore, and exclaimed, "The Tang Kingdom is truly vast! Mighty cities are everywhere. Kaifeng is not much inferior to Nanjing. In comparison, our Fusang cities are like rural earthen buildings!"

Long Kui laughed and said, "Kaifeng is located in the heart of the Central Plains, a thoroughfare connecting the north and south. It has always been a strategically important military location, and it has no natural defenses. How could it not be magnificent? Back in the Northern Song Dynasty, it was the largest city in the world. However, it is no longer buried underground. This Kaifeng city was rebuilt by our dynasty on the site of the old capital, Tokyo."

Lin Zhennan sighed, "It's a pity it's no longer the capital; otherwise, it would be even more prosperous."

Lady Wang said, "Luoyang was the capital of countless dynasties before it became the capital. We're here to find a doctor, not to discuss the past. Miss Feifei, do you know where Ping Yizhi lives?"

Qu Feiyan said, "Don't worry, Aunt Lin. My grandfather is acquainted with Ping Yizhi. I have a way to find him when we get to Kaifeng. Let's find an inn to stay in first, and I'll go and inquire."

Shi Potian sighed, "You won't believe it, but I've actually been to Kaifeng before, but it's completely different now, like two different worlds." Shi Potian was naturally referring to the incident where Gou Zazhong found the Xuan Tie Token in Houjianji, Kaifeng.

Qu Feiyan said, "Little brother, you're overthinking things again."

Everyone knew that Shi Potian suffered from amnesia and had come to Kaifeng for treatment, so they didn't find it strange.

Longkui and her maid stayed in the cabin, only looking at the scenery through the curtains.

When the ship docked, everyone disembarked.

As soon as Long Kui stepped off the boat and onto the shore, her striking red dress and graceful figure immediately attracted the attention of countless people. Wherever she went, the crowd automatically dispersed.

The streets outside Kaifeng were wide and smooth, lined with shops on both sides, offering everything from clothing and food to housing and transportation, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. The streets were crowded with pedestrians, and the sounds of vendors hawking their wares, bargaining, and children playing blended together.

However, even children who saw Longkui were captivated by her dazzling appearance and became quiet.

It became a spectacle for a time.

However, Shi Potian didn't care. His mind was elsewhere, and he especially missed the sesame seed cakes of Kaifeng and hoped to see a person named Wu Daotong. But he could only dream about it.

After walking for about a mile, the group saw the city gate of Kaifeng. The gate was tall and wide, and a group of people who looked like officials were waiting at the entrance.

The common people would avoid officials, resulting in the peculiar situation where one side of the city gate was empty while the other side was crowded.

Qu Feiyan looked around and suddenly said, "Little brother, I've been to Kaifeng before. I know a really big restaurant there. Let's go eat there first!"

Just as Shi Potian was about to agree, a commotion arose from ahead. Everyone looked up and saw a group of officials hurrying towards them from the city gate. Leading them was a middle-aged man in official robes, followed by an elderly man with gray hair and beard, dressed in the attire of a sixth-rank civil official, carrying a medicine chest; his identity was unknown. Behind them were a dozen or so constables carrying a sedan chair and holding signs. It was quite a grand procession.

The official approached, spotted Long Kui at a glance, and immediately beamed with smiles. He quickly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "This humble official, Zhou Wenbin, Prefect of Kaifeng, respectfully welcomes Your Excellency!"

The old imperial physician behind him quickly knelt down as well: "Your humble servant, Wang Bingnan, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, pays respects to Your Majesty!"

Longkui said calmly, "Get up. No need for formalities."

Zhou Wenbin stood up, glanced at Shi Potian, then at Qu Feiyan, and said with a smile, "Your Excellency has had a long journey. I have prepared a feast at my residence. Please come and join me."

Long Kui nodded and said to Shi Potian, "Young Master Escort, let's go. This Physician Wang is the head of the Imperial Medical Academy; his medical skills are superb. Let him take a look at you."

Shi Potian was taken aback: "Show me? Show me what? Aren't we going to see Ping Yizhi for treatment? Is he Ping Yizhi? Isn't his surname Wang?"

Longkui laughed and said, "He is an imperial physician. Didn't you want to treat your soul loss? Physician Wang is the best imperial physician in the court. He was invited from the capital by Eunuch Liu using the postal service. He is more reliable than a quack doctor."

Madam Wang was both surprised and delighted, and quickly said, "Thank you so much, Miss Long! This is truly... truly too much to ask!"

Lin Zhennan was also filled with gratitude, and clasped his hands in thanks, saying, "I will never forget Miss Long's great kindness."

The couple never imagined that Longkui was so powerful that she could bring the imperial physician out of the capital to treat their son. Longkui said it was Eunuch Liu, who was naturally acting on Longkui's orders.

Longkui glanced at Qu Feiyan and smiled slightly.

The group followed Zhou Wenbin into Kaifeng Prefecture. The backyard of the prefectural government office was lush with flowers and trees, and featured pavilions and towers, making it quite elegant. Zhou Wenbin had already prepared a feast, with delicacies from land and sea filling the table. After everyone took their seats and several rounds of drinks, Physician Wang invited Shi Potian to a side hall to take his pulse.

Shi Potian sat in the chair and extended his wrist. Physician Wang placed three fingers on his pulse point, closed his eyes, and remained silent for a long time. He then switched to his other hand and examined the pulse for a long time, his brows gradually furrowing.

Madam Wang asked anxiously, "Physician Wang, my son's illness..."

Physician Wang opened his eyes and pondered, "Young Master Lin's pulse... is truly strange. His vital energy is as vigorous as the Yangtze River; in my thirty years of medical practice, I have never seen anything like it. Let alone being sick, it would be difficult for him to even die. This loss of spirit... I really can't see any clues."

Madam Wang said anxiously, "But he can't remember anything from before! He doesn't even remember who we are!"

Physician Wang smiled wryly, "Madam, judging from the pulse, Young Master Lin's body is perfectly fine. This loss of spirit is perhaps a mental illness, and I... am powerless to help."

Lin Zhennan sighed and looked at Long Kui. Although Long Kui was disappointed, she was not surprised. Shi Potian's cultivation was superb, and even if he was ill, it was something that doctors could not understand.

Qu Feiyan said, "I knew it! We still need to find Ping Yizhi. He's the number one divine doctor in the martial arts world, specializing in treating difficult and complicated diseases. Imperial physicians only treat the emperor's minor ailments; they wouldn't know anything about this!"

Physician Wang's face flushed red, and he was about to retort. Zhou Wenbin quickly smoothed things over: "Your Majesty, please rest assured, I have already sent people to inquire about Ping Yizhi's whereabouts, and I will report back immediately as soon as there is any news."

Longkui waved her hand and said to Shi Potian, "Young Master Escort, please stay here for now. We can take our time with the treatment."

Shi Potian nodded. He didn't think he was sick in the first place, and the doctor's opinion proved him right.

Physician Wang suddenly said, "Your Highness... there is another person who can treat the young镖头's illness."