Chapter Twenty-One: Processing Medicinal Herbs

Not only were these young apprentices astonished, but even Chen Jie, standing nearby, found this completely unheard of. He suddenly recalled a passage from a medical text he had read: "Peel the dried ginger." He had been puzzled at the time as to why it wasn't "peeled dried ginger," but if one followed Jiang Bai’s explanation, everything made perfect sense.

He continued to listen intently. "Dried ginger is categorized into nine flavors:煨 (slow-roasted in clay), roasted, stir-fried, scorched, shredded, sliced, and pure ginger in three forms. Each has a different application: sliced ginger acts upon the Lung Meridian, shredded ginger acts upon the heart, slow-roasted ginger is used in cold-natured medicines to protect the stomach, stir-fried ginger warms the Spleen Yang, ginger charcoal enters the blood, while pure ginger is cold on the outside and hot on the inside. Overall, the usage is warming; the interior is hot, and the skin is cold."

As she spoke, she placed the ginger into clean water. The medical apprentices held their breath, watching the initially rough herbs gradually unfurl in the water as if coming to life.

"Next," Jiang Bai said, lifting the soaked ginger, "we will learn the three methods: roasted, slow-roasted, and stir-fried."

Listening to Jiang Bai’s explanations, Chen Jie gained a deeper understanding of the vastness of this new doctor’s medical expertise. She possessed the accumulated wisdom of many masters and was unsparing in her teachings. In Chen Jie’s mind, Jiang Bai’s usually expressionless face now equated to that of a reclusive master.

Unaware of Chen Jie’s thoughts, Jiang Bai continued, "Although roasted, slow-roasted, and stir-fried ginger are all different preparations of dried ginger, their medicinal properties and uses differ significantly. Roasted ginger is warm in nature, suitable for cold syndromes, especially for patients with a cold stomach. Slow-roasted ginger is milder; it can warm the middle and dispel cold while protecting stomach qi, often added to cold medicines to reduce stomach irritation. Stir-fried ginger is hot in nature, primarily used to warm the Spleen Yang, and is highly effective for patients with Spleen Yang deficiency."

As she spoke, she placed the soaked ginger slices into three different containers, each containing different herbs and additives. She beckoned the apprentices to gather around, and they crowded in, watching her skilled movements with curiosity.

"The key to roasting ginger lies in controlling the heat," Jiang Bai said, pointing to the first container. "If the fire is too strong, the ginger slices will scorch and lose their medicinal properties; if it is too weak, the roasting will be ineffective. Therefore, use a gentle flame, roasting slowly until the surface of the ginger slices turns slightly yellow and emits a faint fragrance."

She placed the container on the stove, adjusted the heat, and began the slow roasting process. The apprentices watched, breathless, fearing they might miss a single detail.

"Slow-roasting requires a furnace," Jiang Bai explained, pointing to the second container. "This method involves wrapping the ginger in mud and placing it over the fire to slowly dry it out. During this process, the medicinal properties of the additives gradually permeate the ginger slices, allowing them to warm the middle, dispel cold, and protect the stomach qi."

She wrapped the ginger in mud and began the slow-roasting. The apprentices watched the mud blocks on the furnace slowly harden without showing signs of burning, feeling extremely curious and longing to break them open to see the result.

"Stir-frying requires an iron wok," Jiang Bai said, pointing to the third container. "Place the ginger slices and certain herbs that warm the Spleen Yang into the wok and stir-fry quickly over high heat. During this process, the ginger rapidly absorbs the properties of the herbs, becoming hot in nature, making it suitable for patients with Spleen Yang deficiency."

She tossed the ingredients into the wok and began to stir-fry rapidly. The apprentices watched as the ginger slices changed color and released a rich, fragrant aroma.

The apprentices listened, mesmerized, nodding in understanding. Chen Jie couldn't help but ask, "Dr. Jiang, what about ginger charcoal? How does it differ from stir-fried ginger?"

"While both are ways to prepare dried ginger, their uses are quite different. Stir-fried ginger is mainly for warming the Spleen Yang, whereas ginger charcoal specifically enters the blood and is used to treat cold syndromes within the blood."

As she spoke, she placed a ginger slice directly into the fire. The apprentices watched as the slice twisted, dried out, and gradually turned black, releasing a unique, sharp aroma.

"The process for making ginger charcoal is more complex than for stir-fried ginger," Jiang Bai continued. "One must place the ginger slices into charcoal embers and bake them slowly until they turn completely black and emit a distinct fragrance. Ginger charcoal is extremely warm and is suitable for treating cold-blood syndromes, especially in women suffering from irregular menstruation or dysmenorrhea."

While Jiang Bai and Chen Jie were discussing and teaching, Duan Jing, who had been unconscious for two days, finally woke up. He opened his eyes and saw the tent ceiling, his mind foggy and disoriented.

"Zhongxuan, you’re awake? How do you feel?" Seeing Duan Jing finally open his eyes after so many days, Duan Yue felt a wave of relief.

"Brother, where am I?" Duan Jing turned his head and saw Duan Yue signaling for someone to fetch Jiang Bai.

"You’ve been unconscious for three days." A mix of regret and anger clouded Duan Yue’s thoughts—regret that he had been injured and unable to protect his brother, and anger that his brother had disregarded his own life, moving about while severely wounded and causing secondary injury.

Duan Jing was shocked to hear he had been out for three days and struggled to recall the events. Memories flooded back: Jiang Bai subduing Li Yuan, their rush to save his brother, and the discovery that the assassins had missed their target because his brother had switched tents.

The rest of the memory was hazy. He only remembered turning to see Jiang Bai before collapsing.

"What about Li Yuan?" Duan Jing frowned, asking for an update. Having been out for three days, he worried about how his brother had handled things.

"You’re still worried about that? You took two blows from Li Yuan, broke a rib, and suffered internal injuries," Duan Yue sighed, his tone tinged with reproach. "Do you have any idea how close you came to losing your life?"

Duan Jing lowered his head in silence. He knew he had been reckless, but the situation had left him no choice. He hadn't wanted Li Yuan to escape, and with Jiang Bai being a delicate woman and Yang Bin drugged, he knew all three would have died if he hadn't intervened.

"Brother, I... I just wanted to stop Li Yuan..." Duan Jing’s voice was low, laced with guilt.

"I know, I know. The situation was desperate, but you need to rest now. Leave the military affairs to me," Duan Yue interrupted firmly. "I’ve recovered enough to handle things. Your only job is to recover; don't make me worry anymore."

Duan Jing opened his mouth to argue but remained silent. He knew his brother meant well; the sight of his brother lying there bloodless had terrified him, and he realized his brother must have been equally scared this time.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside, and Jiang Bai entered.

"Military Advisor Duan, you’re awake?" She walked to the bed, checked his pulse, and examined his wounds. "The rib injury is stable and set, but you need more medicine. Your internal injuries were severe, and the lack of rest made them worse. It’s a miracle you’ve survived."

"Dr. Jiang, thank you for saving me," Duan Jing said gratefully.

"No need for thanks; I should be the one thanking you," Jiang Bai smiled faintly. "If you hadn't risked your life, I likely would have died on the spot."

Duan Jing gave a bitter smile. "I don't deserve such praise. If you hadn't drugged Li Yuan, we never could have stopped him." Li Yuan was the most skilled fighter among them, save for his two brothers and Yang Bin. Without the drug, no amount of men could have taken him down.

"By the way, Dr. Jiang, when can I get out of bed?" Duan Jing asked, worried about the unfinished business.

In truth, the reason he hadn't told others about his brother switching tents was that Jiang Bai had secretly warned him that Duan Yue was not only injured but also poisoned. Since he hadn't identified the culprit, he kept the location change a secret, which ended up saving his brother's life. Now that he knew it was Li Yuan, he was determined to uncover the mastermind.

"You must stay in bed for at least ten days," Jiang Bai answered ruthlessly. "Your ribs have been set, but they need time to heal. Moving too soon could cause the bones to break again or even puncture your lungs—that would be a disaster."

"Ten days?!" Duan Jing’s eyes widened. "That’s too long..."

"Long?" Duan Yue scoffed. "Do you know how close you were to death? Ten days is the absolute minimum. If you don't listen, I’ll have you tied to the bed!"

Duan Jing shrank back, not daring to speak. He knew his brother was serious.

"Rest now. I’m going to check on General Duan," Jiang Bai said, rising and walking toward Duan Yue.

"General Duan, you’re recovering well. The bandages can come off in a few days." Looking at Duan Yue’s recovery, she couldn't help but feel a pang of regret—his regenerative ability was nearly superhuman, and it was a pity she lacked the laboratory and tools to study it.

"Dr. Jiang, the military doctors are currently leaderless. Would you be interested in taking charge?" General Duan asked, rubbing his hands together.

Duan Jing was stunned by his brother's sudden suggestion and wanted to hide his face. *Stupid brother,* he thought, *Wang Da and Doctor Liu are out of commission, and you want Jiang Bai to clean up this mess? Who would ever agree to that?*

As expected, Jiang Bai politely but firmly declined, citing that there were many in the medical team she could still learn from and that she was still too young.

Before his oblivious brother could press the matter, Duan Jing quickly diverted the conversation. "Dr. Jiang, when will my brother’s wounds be completely healed?"

"In about ten days, the scabs will fall off. After that, we can apply scar-removal ointment to prevent scarring," Jiang Bai mused. She would need to gather herbs; the current pharmacy lacked the ingredients for a good scar cream.

"No need. I'm a man; scars don't matter," Duan Yue said dismissively.

"Please make some, Dr. Jiang. It’s no trouble," Duan Jing insisted, intending to pay her extra as a private fee—one couldn't be too dense about these things.

Jiang Bai looked at this man who was full of schemes and nodded, though she silently decided that if she had problems, she would go to Duan Yue; the simple-minded one was much harder to be cheated by.

Duan Yue recalled yesterday's interrogation and asked, "After questioning Wang Da and the others, we found discrepancies regarding the man they pointed out. I wanted to ask, do you know Shen Hui?"

Hearing the surname "Shen," Jiang Bai knew exactly who it was: Shen Hui, the brother of Shen Ye. Shen Ye was that arrogant man who had ridden his horse through the city and trampled her parents to death simply because they hadn't moved out of his way fast enough.

"I don't know him," Jiang Bai denied flatly. After finding the culprit, she had used her plants to drop a heavy object from a height, killing Shen Ye. The death was so bizarre that the officials had silenced many to avoid panic. While she knew Shen Ye had died upon arriving in Pingcheng, she certainly shouldn't know that his brother had come in secret.

After her denial, Duan Jing’s gaze darkened slightly, as if he didn't fully believe her. He kept his tone calm, as if merely informing her. "Dr. Jiang, Shen Hui is Shen Ye’s brother—the man involved in your parents' case."

Jiang Bai looked up, her tone no longer calm. "That’s him? So what does my being framed have to do with him? Was he the one who ordered it?"

"Yes," Duan Yue nodded. "He doesn't believe Shen Ye’s death was an accident and somehow heard rumors that your parents' deaths were linked to his brother. He sent someone to spread rumors, hoping we would expel you and your brother so he could move against you."

Duan Yue was just giving a warning, but Duan Jing felt Jiang Bai’s reaction wasn't entirely genuine. He stared into her eyes, looking for something, but her expression remained flawlessly indignant. "If I had that kind of ability, would I have waited for Shen Ye to 'accidentally' die? I would have killed him myself! He trampled my parents to death with his horse just because they didn't move fast enough, and then he had their bodies whipped. Military Advisor, tell me, is that something a human would do?"

Jiang Bai’s face was flushed with anger, and tears welled in her eyes—not feigned, as every thought of her parents made her want to tear that beast limb from limb. A simple fall was too merciful for him.

Duan Yue was also furious. "Good riddance. Scum like that shouldn't exist in this world."

Duan Jing also despised the pair, his tone mocking. "And yet, such scum leaves a long shadow of destruction. Shen Hui is already settling scores in the city against everyone Shen Ye offended. He seems to be operating on a 'better to kill the innocent than let one escape' mentality, all to avenge Shen Ye."

Jiang Bai felt a jolt. She hadn't expected Shen Ye’s death to trigger such consequences. Fortunately, she had planned to bring her brother into the army early; otherwise, if Shen Hui had harmed her brother, she would have regretted it for the rest of her life.