Volume One, Chapter 14: Performing Surgery for Xu Da to Treat His Back Abscess

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Xia Jingtian led Xu Da into the ward and then showed him how to use the facilities in the bathroom. This had become an indispensable part of the routine. Empress Ma also came into the ward together with Zhu Xiongying.

“The Fourth Son’s wife is here. If you don’t know how to use some of these things, you can ask us. We’ve been living in the medical hall for so many days—we’ve long since learned how to use everything here,” Empress Ma said with a smile.

“Aunt Fourth, the cartoons on the television are really wonderful. I watch them every day,” Zhu Xiongying said with a smile.

Everything inside the medical hall was so novel and fascinating to Xu Da and Xu Miaoyun!

“Television? Cartoons? What are those?” Xu Miaoyun asked with a puzzled look.

Though Xu Miaoyun considered herself knowledgeable, having read many books, she had never encountered such things inside the medical hall and was immensely curious.

“This medical hall is truly amazing. There’s a faucet that provides running water, a shower for bathing, and a flush toilet. It’s incredibly convenient!” Xu Da marveled.

Xia Jingtian had grown accustomed to such reactions—these were the same responses he had encountered from Liu Bowen and Zhang Sanfeng when they first arrived.

Xu Miaoyun sighed, “I’ve read countless books but never seen anything like these things. It seems that the Crown Prince was right—you really do come from six hundred years in the future. I’m very curious about what the world will be like in a few years. In your time, can women read and write?”

As an educated woman of the Ming Dynasty, well-versed in poetry and literature, Xu Miaoyun’s greatest concern was whether women in the future could receive education.

“In my time, women can attend school and do the same jobs as men. There’s an emphasis on gender equality—women can hold up half the sky!” Xia Jingtian replied casually.

“Gender equality! Women can read and work? That’s unbelievable! If only I lived in your era!” Xu Miaoyun exclaimed.

To her, Xia Jingtian’s era was like a dream come true.

“How can men and women be equal? Only men go to the battlefield to fight and defend the country. Women’s duty is to stay home, support their husbands, and raise the children,” Zhu Biao said disdainfully.

“That’s right. Women are gentle by nature and can’t do physically demanding or dangerous tasks, so equality isn’t possible. But allowing them to read and write is a good thing!” Empress Ma said.

Xia Jingtian sighed inwardly—his ideas about gender equality were not accepted by everyone.

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Especially for someone like Zhu Biao, the Crown Prince and future emperor, these beliefs were deeply ingrained and unlikely to change.

“Lord Wei, I will clean your back and then prepare you for surgery,” Xia Jingtian said.

He then gave Xu Da a shower on his back, dried him, and led him into the operating room.

“This is where surgeries take place? It’s so bright!” Xu Da said in astonishment.

“Lord Wei, this is the operating room. Change into these clothes, lie on the operating table, and after a nap, the surgery will be over,” Xia Jingtian explained.

Xu Da changed and lay face down on the table. Xia Jingtian administered local anesthesia on his back.

He then incised the abscess, drained the pus thoroughly, and applied anti-inflammatory medicine.

Outside the operating room, Xu Miaoyun, Zhu Biao, and Empress Ma waited anxiously.

“Your Majesty, Father has been in there for an hour already. Does surgery take this long?” Xu Miaoyun asked with concern.

An hour was equivalent to two hours, and she was growing worried seeing Xu Da remain inside so long.

“Don’t worry, Miaoyun. Dr. Xia’s skills are excellent. The surgery should be finished soon,” Empress Ma comforted her.

The operating room light went out, signaling the surgery was complete. Xia Jingtian wheeled Xu Da out.

“The surgery is finished. He’s out!” Zhu Biao said.

Xu Miaoyun hurried to the bedside to check on her father.

“Dr. Xia, how did the surgery go?”

“The surgery was successful. I’ve completely cleared the pus from the abscess on his back. However, he will need heat therapy, acupuncture, and daily restorative treatments,” Xia Jingtian said.

Xu Miaoyun, only partly understanding, asked curiously, “Dr. Xia, how many days will Father need to recover?”

“Lord Wei’s physical condition isn’t ideal. A strong young man might recover in a few days, but he’ll likely need at least half a month to heal,” Xia Jingtian answered honestly.

Though Xu Da was physically strong, his age and years of warfare compromised his immunity, which is why the abscess was slow to heal.

“Please, Dr. Xia, arrange some proper meals for Lord Wei to help him recuperate,” Zhu Biao said.

“Actually, Lord Wei’s condition isn’t too severe, but it requires careful attention.

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During treatment, it’s important for him to maintain good habits, exercise regularly to strengthen his constitution, and boost his immune system.

He must also eat a balanced diet, with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, avoiding spicy, greasy, or irritating foods.

Keep the affected skin clean and dry, and avoid scratching or squeezing.

Also, avoid prolonged sitting or standing, maintain a good sleep schedule, and enhance his resistance to lower the risk of recurrence,” Xia Jingtian advised.

He helped Xu Da back to the ward and had him lie on the bed.

Applying a warm towel to the affected area promoted local blood circulation, relieved pain, and helped dissipate inflammation.

He administered penicillin and applied ichthammol ointment externally to aid absorption of the inflammation and reduce swelling.

“Dr. Xia, your miraculous hands have worked wonders! My back no longer hurts!” Xu Da exclaimed joyfully.

Seeing the effect of Xia Jingtian’s treatment, Xu Miaoyun was overjoyed.

“Thank you, Dr. Xia! Truly a divine healer with superb skills!” she said gratefully.

“The absence of pain is temporary. Continued treatment is necessary for full recovery. The diet should be light—avoid greasy and spicy foods,” Xia Jingtian cautioned.

“Dr. Xia, rest assured I’ll watch Father’s diet. He loves roast goose, but I won’t let him eat it now,” Xu Miaoyun said.

“Since Lord Wei’s surgery was successful, I shall return to attend to state affairs,” Zhu Biao said as he turned to leave.

Xia Jingtian accompanied Zhu Biao out of the medical hall and watched as he passed through the Moon Gate back to the palace.

Just as the Moon Gate was closing and Xia Jingtian was about to turn to pick some vegetables in the courtyard, the gate opened again.

Zhang Sanfeng from Wudang Mountain appeared outside the gate and walked in.

“Master, what brings you here?” Xia Jingtian asked, surprised.

“I came to teach you martial arts; otherwise, I’d be teaching for nothing,” Zhang Sanfeng said, stroking his beard.