Chapter 079: The Support of the Masses

As hundreds of government officers entered, the commotion stirred up several surrounding streets. Many people rushed out upon hearing the noise, asking each other what had happened.

“This is a plot to frame Doctor Fang. Someone must have conspired with corrupt officials to harm him!” the crowd murmured.

“Doctor Fang saved my wife’s life. We absolutely cannot let these corrupt officials frame him!” an elderly man in rough clothes, his hair and beard white, shouted. He led his son, daughter-in-law, and others towards the medical hall.

“That’s right, Doctor Fang treats us poor folk for free. We must protect him!”

“Down with corrupt officials! Protect Doctor Fang!”

“Everyone, quickly notify the villagers nearby—anyone who has been treated by Doctor Fang, come out and help. Don’t be ungrateful!”

Immediately, the residents of the surrounding streets began calling on friends and neighbors, spreading the word. Those nearby had often been the earliest patients, so within moments, hundreds and then thousands gathered, surging from all directions towards the medical hall.

“You must be Fang Mingda, the so-called miracle doctor? Daring to pose as a miracle doctor in Wudu, and causing a death—what nerve. Take him away!” At this moment, a young official pushed forward with more than ten officers, glanced coldly at Fang Xian amidst the crowd, and waved his hand to command.

“Back off! Who dares show disrespect to Doctor Fang?” Suddenly, a young man burst out, brandishing a carrying pole to block Fang Xian. A powerful aura radiated from him; in his excitement, he had broken through to become a second-tier martial artist.

This young man was none other than Wang Fugen, the son of Wang Daming—the first patient Fang Xian had treated after arriving in Wudu. Fang Xian had noticed Wang Fugen’s diligence and upright character, and purposely nurtured him, recently allowing him to undergo medicinal baths. Unexpectedly, within ten days, Wang Fugen had made a breakthrough.

Of course, Wang Fugen’s solid foundation played a part. Though Wang Daming was ill and his own skills had declined, he had experience training his son. Wang Fugen became a third-tier martial artist four years earlier, with substantial accumulation. The medicinal baths provided a boost, making his breakthrough inevitable.

The officers who had been about to rush forward were instantly intimidated by Wang Fugen’s aura, retreating in fear; most were unskilled, with only a few at the third-tier.

“Who are you, daring to obstruct official business? Arrest him as well!” the young official barked.

“Who dares?” Wang Fugen shouted. “Does anyone here know me? My father was the first person Doctor Fang cured in Wudu. Doctor Fang is no fraud; he is a living Bodhisattva for the poor!” His booming voice stunned the officers and roused the crowd.

“Doctor Fang is no fraud! Corrupt officials, get out!”

“We want Doctor Fang to treat us! Do not take him away!”

The crowd, pushed aside earlier, erupted in fury, surging towards the officials and shoving them, causing a chaotic clash.

“Anyone who obstructs official duties will be arrested and thrown in jail!” The young official’s face darkened as he shouted at his subordinates.

“Master Zhou, look behind us—this is bad!” The officer in charge suddenly paled, urgently pointing to the rear of the crowd.

“Protect Doctor Fang!”

“Drive out the corrupt officials!”

“Don’t let the corrupt officials frame Doctor Fang!”

The young official, Zhou Liang, the historian of Huayang Prefecture, craned his neck to look behind. He saw masses of people streaming in from all directions, shouting and gathering in ever-greater numbers—a dense, black sea of humanity.

“Sir, by my estimate, over ten thousand people have gathered, and the number keeps growing. We’d better withdraw,” whispered an officer in Zhou Liang’s ear.

Zhou Liang’s face turned ashen. As a scholar, he knew the historical precedent: mobs had beaten officials to death on the spot, and this was eerily similar.

“Fang, are you inciting the people to rebel?” Zhou Liang shouted, bravely on the surface but inwardly terrified.

“Sir, you wrong me. I only treat the people’s illnesses with dedication, never inciting anyone. Surely you know how today’s events began? It seems you’ve angered the crowd. Even if this reaches the imperial court, it has nothing to do with me,” Fang Xian replied, spreading his hands.

“Doctor Fang, these people have gathered because of you. If things get out of hand, you won’t escape responsibility!” Zhou Liang wiped sweat from his brow.

“I don’t mind. Worst case, it goes before the emperor—I’ll recommend myself to treat the Crown Prince’s illness. But you, sir, might lose your head,” Fang Xian retorted coolly.

Just then, the distant thunder of hooves was heard. Squads of elite cavalry appeared, blocking the roads to stem the tide of people, but the masses gathered around them instead, trapping the imperial guards in the middle.

“Marshal, there’s trouble!” Meanwhile, Wu Qingluan had just returned from the Eastern Palace to the Princess’s residence, where Wu Ji hurriedly greeted her.

“What’s caused such panic?” Wu Qingluan asked, her gaze sharpening.

“Someone reported Doctor Fang to Huayang Prefecture, and the historian Zhou Liang has taken people to arrest him at the First Under Heaven Medical Hall. But the locals heard and now over ten thousand have gathered to oppose the officers,” Wu Ji quickly replied.

“Is Doctor Fang in danger? How many men have you stationed nearby?” Wu Qingluan raised her brows.

“At present, Doctor Fang is not in immediate danger. All the officers are surrounded by the crowd, and even five hundred elite imperial cavalry sent to assist are hemmed in. We have a hundred elite soldiers posted near Doctor Fang, ready to escort him out if needed. Doctor Fang also has some strength at his side, so his safety should be assured,” Wu Ji said.

“Let’s go see for ourselves. Send people to search the taverns near the medical hall, especially those facing it—see who’s watching from the shadows,” Wu Qingluan ordered, knowing someone was trying to suppress Doctor Fang’s rising reputation before it caught the emperor’s attention.

Originally, Wu Qingluan intended to see if Fang Xian could cure those tuberculosis patients, but now, with today’s events, it seemed Fang Xian might soon be noticed by the emperor.

Wu Qingluan’s party hurried to the medical hall, Wu Ji leading over a hundred elite Flying Phoenix soldiers to secure the area. He also dispatched men to search the various taverns nearby, especially those directly across from the medical hall.

However, two streets away from the medical hall, they could go no further: the road was a sea of people, all gathered together, and more were still arriving.

“Down with corrupt officials!”

“Don’t frame Doctor Fang!”

“Doctor Fang is a living Bodhisattva for the poor!”

“Whoever frames Doctor Fang is our enemy!”

Hearing the cries and roars of the crowd, Wu Qingluan was deeply moved, never imagining that in less than ten days, Doctor Fang would win the hearts of so many in Wudu.

“Marshal, we can’t proceed here. We’ll have to go via the rooftops,” Wu Ji said, turning to the princess.

“Very well, let’s head to the highest building near the medical hall—the Taibai Tavern.” Wu Qingluan led her men swiftly to the rooftop of a nearby building, then moved quickly toward Taibai Tavern, a hundred meters from the First Under Heaven Medical Hall.

“Stop! What are you doing? This floor is reserved!” At the stairway to the fifth floor of Taibai Tavern, several men dressed as guards blocked three intruders.

“Flying Phoenix Army, searching for suspicious persons—stand aside!” The leader displayed his insignia and barked.

“No, there are no suspicious persons upstairs. Search elsewhere,” the guards exchanged glances; their leader shook his head firmly.

“Are you obstructing the Flying Phoenix Army’s duties? Move aside!” The captain of the Flying Phoenix Army instantly gripped his sword hilt, his tone cold, and the two soldiers behind him mimicked the gesture, ready to draw their blades.