Chapter 83

C83 – Life and Death

The flames blazed brighter and brighter, shrouded in thick black smoke. Tang Yue couldn’t help but think, “I fear this mountain is being consumed by the fire.”

It’s truly devastating for the environment!

Everyone had awoken, and Tang Yue arranged for someone to prepare a meal while they waited for updates. Having a hot meal ready for the returning frontline workers would be comforting.

After dinner, Tang Yue went to check on the wounded. One of them was running a high fever, drenched in perspiration, displaying a typical postoperative inflammatory response.

“Quick! Fetch some cold water and a towel!” Tang Yue removed the injured man’s clothing and gently wiped his overheated body with the towel.

Shan, standing nearby, hurriedly intervened. “Young Master, please allow this servant to take care of it.”

“Hold on! Oversee the preparation of the anti-inflammatory medicine I made earlier. Then, send someone to search for any nearby medicinal spirits. The stronger, the better.”

Tang Yue continued to dab the patient with cold water several times, but the fever showed no signs of abating. The wounded man even began to deliriously call out, clutching Tang Yue’s hand and crying, “Mother!” Tears welled up in the eyes of the patients nearby.

“Xiao Qi, your mother is still waiting for you at home. You must hang on!” A wounded soldier with a limp hobbled over and sat beside the bed. “Xiao Qi, don’t forget about your mother. You’re her only son left! If you’re gone, how will she survive?”

“He’s responding. Keep talking to him; it’ll boost his morale.”

“Young Master, will that really help?” The wounded soldier looked at Tang Yue with hopeful anticipation.

“It’s effective! The patient’s emotional state and determination play a crucial role,” Tang Yue affirmed.

When the medication arrived, Tang Yue noticed that the patient couldn’t swallow it, rendering oral administration impossible.

“Young master, allow me to give it a shot,” the injured soldier volunteered, taking the medicine bowl and taking a sip himself. He then applied the bowl to the patient’s lips, attempting to feed it, though the results were less than ideal.

His face turned red as he awkwardly admitted, “I’ve seen someone administer medicine like this before. I certainly didn’t mean to take advantage of Little Seven.”

Laughter erupted from the onlookers, with someone jesting, “No need to explain. We all know about your relationship with Xiao Qi. You might as well chat with him a bit; he might wake up.”

Tang Yue had not previously realized the depth of their bond. Judging from their prior interactions, they didn’t seem like a couple. They were probably comrades who provided mutual support during their time in the army.

Such relationships were not uncommon in the military. Tang Yue saw that the injured soldier was unembarrassed and responded with a smile, “The patient can’t swallow it right now. Your method of administration won’t work.”

The atmosphere lightened considerably. Tang Yue continued to furrow his brow, pondering a solution. If only they had a nasogastric tube; they could administer the medicine directly.

However, a peaceful night was not in the cards. Just as Tang Yue had finished washing his hands, a voice cried out in the distance: “Wang Zizhao has returned!”

Instantaneously, the entire encampment buzzed with activity. Even the wounded couldn’t stay down any longer. They aided one another and emerged to greet him.

Tang Yue hurried out and coincidentally witnessed Wang Zizhao dismounting from his horse. Wang Zizhao’s legs trembled slightly, prompting Tang Yue to furrow his brow, feeling a mixture of concern and apprehension.

Yet, he couldn’t afford to dwell on it for long. The injuries this time were more severe. Some were even on the brink of death. Tang Yue inquired about their time of death, performing cardiorespiratory resuscitation and artificial respiration for patients who had recently ceased breathing.

The spectacle was utterly astonishing, leaving the ancient people utterly dumbfounded. Wang Zizhao approached with a furrowed brow, almost looking as if he could swat a fly with his scowl. He contemplated intervening but hesitated, choosing not to interrupt Tang Yue’s actions.

“Don’t just stand there. If you can move, fetch the medicine and apply it yourselves. Everyone, bring a bowl of cooling herbal soup.” Tang Yue shouted, taking a moment to rouse the petrified crowd.

After more than ten rounds of emergency treatment, the deceased’s heart miraculously revived, though his breathing remained feeble. Tang Yue himself was drained and sank to the ground, panting for breath.

A crowd approached in astonishment. A more audacious soldier crouched down and felt the dead man’s nose. Startled by the faint exhalation on his fingers, he leaped back in alarm. “This... this is a false corpse!”

The onlookers retreated, eyes fixed in horror on the “corpse” lying on the ground. Tang Yue was simultaneously amused and irritated. He waved his hand and admonished, “Don’t crowd around so tightly. You’re obstructing the patient’s air.”

Unmindful of whether these ancient people comprehended the concept of air, Tang Yue rose from the ground and instructed two guards to transport the “body” to the operating theater.

Wang Zizhao couldn’t resist trailing after him, settling into a chair to observe silently. Tang Yue was aware of his profound curiosity but opted to display an unflappable demeanor, subtly conveying an “I’m perfectly composed” appearance, which contrasted starkly with his true emotions.

Tang Yue instructed someone to undress the patient, conducting a thorough examination. Aside from a few minor cuts, signs of blunt force trauma were evident on the patient’s head, likely a fatal injury.

He carefully shaved the patient’s hair and cleaned the wound area with a blade. Tang Yue applied gentle pressure to the patient’s head, contemplating various potential medical issues.

Given the severity of the head injury, a concussion was almost certain. His primary concern now was the possibility of brain swelling and hemorrhaging. He dared not attempt a craniotomy without adequate medical equipment and medications, as it would likely result in the patient’s demise.

After properly tending to the wound, Tang Yue sighed, “For now, all we can do is observe. Survival is uncertain.”

Wang Zizhao nodded in understanding. He watched as the injured soldier was carried away, replaced by another. The guards stationed outside the room were seasoned professionals, unafraid of the cold, undressing the patients before bringing them in.

Tang Yue offered a helpless smile. What he was currently doing was essentially a rudimentary form of treatment. If this were the 21st century, he would undoubtedly be labeled a “quack.”

“This patient fell into a coma due to chest compression from a heavy object... How long has he been unconscious?”

The assisting guard by his side called out to those outside, swiftly obtaining the answer, “One hour.”

Tang Yue did not identify any external chest injuries; it appeared to be a closed injury that wasn’t easily discernible from the outside.

Tang Yue conducted further inquiries and examinations, provisionally concluding that extensive blunt trauma had triggered edema in the heart and lung tissue, resulting in heart rhythm irregularities and heart failure. Fortunately, most of these injuries didn’t necessitate open chest surgery, which would pose a significant challenge.