After a while, Hua Tuo arrived at the main hall and bowed respectfully.
"Ming Gong."
Zhang Xin came back to his senses and gestured toward a seat. "Ah, Mr. Yuanhua—please, sit."
Hua Tuo took his seat. Zhang Xin got straight to the point.
"How is the distribution of medical kits in the army progressing?"
He understood this matter deeply. In the age of cold weapons, relatively few soldiers died outright on the battlefield—most perished later from untreated wounds, infections, and complications.
In earlier years, he had no solution. He wasn't trained in medicine.
But now that Hua Tuo was here, things were different.
Equipping every soldier with a medical kit was only the first step. Ultimately, Zhang Xin wanted to build a functioning military medical system—even if, given the limitations of the era, it would be rudimentary.
"Reporting to Ming Gong," Hua Tuo replied, "over eight thousand emergency hemostasis kits have been prepared and are ready for distribution."
"As for epidemic prevention kits, they are more difficult to produce. So far, we have only completed about two thousand."
"Fan A, Wu Pu, and the others are also training soldiers in batches—teaching them how to treat wounds."
Hua Tuo had many disciples from his travels, but Fan A and Wu Pu were the most outstanding. Wu Pu had nearly mastered all his teacher's skills, while Fan A excelled in acupuncture.
At Zhang Xin's request, all of them had been summoned and given official posts—something almost unheard of for physicians.
"Are medicinal supplies sufficient?" Zhang Xin asked.
"More than enough," Hua Tuo nodded.
With Zhang Xin's backing, herbs were transported from the Black Mountain region, while merchant caravans purchased more from other provinces. The treasury, swollen from confiscated wealth, easily supported the effort.
To Zhang Xin, the calculation was simple:
A single medical kit that could save a veteran soldier's life was worth far more than recruiting a new one.
And beyond survival—morale.
If soldiers believed they would not simply be left to die from wounds, they would fight harder.
No matter how he looked at it, it was a winning strategy.
After a moment of silent calculation, Zhang Xin nodded in satisfaction.
"At this rate, we should be able to equip all key troops by next spring."
"As for epidemic medicine… that can wait."
Turning herbs into portable, long-lasting remedies was no easy task in this era.
"Mr. Yuanhua, you've worked hard," Zhang Xin said with a smile.
Hua Tuo quickly replied, "It is only my duty."
With official matters concluded, Zhang Xin shifted topics.
"My wife is about to give birth. I will have to trouble you in the coming days."
"I will do my utmost," Hua Tuo said.
On September 11th, Zhang Ning went into labor.
Outside the delivery room, Zhang Xin paced anxiously as her cries echoed from within.
Hua Tuo sat calmly nearby, ready at any moment.
Watching this, Liu Hua and the other women couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.
When they gave birth, Zhang Xin had been away at war. Even when he had been present, he had never looked so tense—as if he might draw his sword and fight at any moment.
At last—
A baby's cry broke through the air.
"Congratulations, my lord—it's a son!"
Aunt Wang emerged, carrying the newborn.
Zhang Xin leapt forward, nearly rushing into the room before being stopped.
"My lord, the room hasn't been cleaned yet—it's not proper to enter."
"How is she?" Zhang Xin asked urgently.
"Mother and child are safe," Aunt Wang said with a wide smile.
Only then did Zhang Xin relax. He took the baby into his arms.
The child was light—just about six pounds. Thanks to careful diet and Hua Tuo's care, Zhang Ning hadn't suffered long during labor.
Zhang Xin glanced at the baby…
…and quickly lost interest.
"Still ugly," he muttered.
Soon, the midwives came out.
"My lord, you may enter now."
"Good, good—thank you all. Collect your rewards."
The room filled with joy as the attendants thanked him.
Hua Tuo, seeing everything was well, offered congratulations and quietly withdrew. Zhang Xin rewarded him generously before heading inside to see Zhang Ning.
Zhang Ning lay weak but smiling.
"How is the child?" she asked softly.
"Healthy," Zhang Xin replied. Then she added, "Let's name him."
Zhang Xin immediately grew serious.
"Ah… naming again…"
He frowned in deep thought.
"Today is a special day… how about Zhang Kangmei? Or Zhang Yuanchao…?"
At that moment, a voice came from outside.
"My lord—Lord Tian requests an audience."
"Which Lord Tian?" Zhang Xin asked.
"Tian Kai."
Zhang Xin paused, surprised.
After He Miao's death, Tian Kai had gone to serve Dong Zhuo.
So why was he here now?
Zhang Ning smiled faintly. "Go. I'm tired—I'll rest."
Zhang Xin nodded and left.
In the main hall, Tian Kai bowed deeply.
"Greetings, Your Excellency."
"No need for formalities, Shifan," Zhang Xin said, helping him up. "What brings you here?"
Tian Kai produced an imperial edict.
"My lord, please see for yourself."
"From Dong Zhuo?" Zhang Xin asked.
Tian Kai nodded.
Zhang Xin opened it and read.
Dong Zhuo was appointing him General of Chariots and Cavalry—and summoning him back to the capital.
Zhang Xin scoffed.
Same trick as He Jin—strip military power under the guise of promotion.
But Dong Zhuo was more subtle. He hadn't sent anyone to monitor the delivery, leaving room for maneuver.
"Tsk… no wonder people value controlling the emperor," Zhang Xin muttered.
Within a single year, emperors had come and gone—yet his rank kept rising.
General of the East, General of the Right, General of the Guards…
And now this.
"My lord," Tian Kai asked, "will you accept?"
"I will not."
Zhang Xin handed the edict back.
"He Jin was legitimate kin to the emperor—I accepted his appointment. But Dong Zhuo…"
He shook his head.
"If I accept this, how can I face fighting him later?"
Tian Kai nodded, unsurprised, and carefully stored the edict away.
"Shifan, you've come at the perfect time," Zhang Xin said, pulling him to sit.
"A son has just been born into my household. Tonight—we drink until we drop!"
Tian Kai's face lit up. "Congratulations, my lord!"
Zhang Xin laughed heartily.
"Now then—tell me. What has been happening in Luoyang these past days?"