Chapter 34: Didn't you say this wine was meant to save a life?

The man who arrived was Cheng Zhijie, accompanied by a group of soldiers pushing small carts. The carts were laden with large jars of wine, each wide enough for a man to wrap his arms around. There was enough wine here not just to drink, but to bathe in as well.

"I didn't ask for any wine," Wen He said with a grimace. It was one thing for Duan Zhixuan to fetch the drink, but why did he have to bring this troublemaker along?

"Not to drink? Oh, right, I remember now. That boy Duan Zhixuan said you needed this wine to treat General Jing's wounds. Tell me, how are you going to do it? Are you going to force him to chug it?" Cheng Zhijie carelessly grabbed a jar from the cart and unsealed it without hesitation.

A clear, fragrant aroma drifted into Wen He’s nose with the breeze. The scent of the alcohol was strong, yet it lacked any harshness; there even seemed to be a hint of sweetness.

"This is top-tier yellow wine," Cheng muttered, eyeing the jar and smacking his lips. He started walking toward the area where Jing Junhong was resting, the jar in his hands.

Wen He hurriedly blocked his path. "Duke of Su, please don't be hasty. This wine isn't for current consumption; it can't be used just yet."

Cheng Zhijie was as sturdy as a small mountain. As Wen He stood before him, he felt a crushing sense of pressure. "It can't be used? Then why was that boy Duan Zhixuan in such a rush?" Old Cheng let out a heavy snort and glanced back down at the jar in his hands. "Then what about this wine?"

"Duke of Su, feel free to help yourself." Seeing the greedy look on his face, Wen He knew he couldn't hold back any longer. Upon hearing this, Cheng chuckled foolishly, licked his lips, and prepared to drink from the jar.

"Cheng Yaojin, what are you doing!"

A sudden, thunderous roar made Cheng Zhijie shiver, and he hastily set the jar down. "Nothing, Your Highness! I wasn't doing anything!" In his panic, he slammed the jar onto the ground, spilling wine all over his hands.

Looking up, he saw Li Shimin, his expression solemn, walking toward them with his entourage. Qin Qiong, Zhangsun Wuji, and the others followed close behind.

"I was told this wine was for saving a life. Why were you drinking it?" Li Shimin shot a cold glance at Cheng Zhijie before resting his gaze on Wen He.

Noticing the gravity of the situation, Wen He laughed helplessly. "My apologies, I didn't make myself clear earlier. I intend to use this wine to produce alcohol. The process is complex and it’s not ready for use yet, but it will be necessary when it comes time to change the dressings for General Jing."

"Alcohol?" Li Shimin squinted. He didn't know what that was, but he was certain it must be something from the future. "Can it save him?" He was somewhat anxious. The physicians had previously stated that the situation was beyond hope, and he had only sent Liu Shili to bring Jing Junhong back to Wen He as a final, desperate attempt. When Duan Zhixuan reported that Wen He needed a large quantity of wine, his first reaction was that it was absurd. But upon further reflection, he wondered if perhaps this person from the future had discovered something in the wine capable of healing wounds. Driven by curiosity, he had returned to the Prince of Qin’s mansion with Zhangsun Wuji. Wen He’s answer only solidified his belief.

"Does this alcohol have a miraculous effect on external wounds?" Zhangsun Wuji, sensing what Li Shimin wanted to ask, posed the question for him.

"It doesn't heal the wound itself, but it can sterilize it. As for what sterilization is, I will explain it later." Wen He wasn't trying to be mysterious; he had spotted the Xuanjia Guards returning with a local coroner. Behind them walked a middle-aged man with a weather-beaten face, dressed in coarse linen.

"Young Master Wen, the coroner has arrived..." The guard was eager to report his success, but before he could finish, he noticed the several pairs of eyes fixed upon him in the courtyard. "Uh, greetings, Your Highness." The guard bowed hurriedly.

The coroner behind him trembled and knelt in a panic. "This humble commoner, A-Gui, pays respects to the noble lords." His legs were shaking. This was the Prince of Qin’s mansion; he didn't need to guess who the Prince was.

"Rise," Li Shimin replied coolly, then looked at Wen He, his questioning gaze seeking an answer.

Wen He didn't respond immediately, walking toward the coroner instead. "Have you ever stitched up a corpse before?"

A-Gui looked confused but nodded. "Answering the young master, this is a family trade. My father and grandfather were both coroners; stitching corpses is a common occurrence for us."

"That’s good. However, you won't be stitching a corpse today, but a living person." Wen He smiled at him, and A-Gui’s eyes widened as if they were about to pop out of their sockets.

"Young Master Wen, you don't mean to tell me you intend to stitch up General Jing's wounds!" Zhangsun Wuji exclaimed. Li Shimin even drew a sharp breath; he had never heard of such a method. The others present were equally shocked when they heard the proposal.

"In... in my hometown, stitching wounds is a very common method for treating external injuries. Although I haven't studied medicine, I am familiar with some first-aid techniques. If you don't trust me, then by all means, seek someone more capable." Wen He spread his hands and shrugged. With so many people around, he held back, not wanting to specify that this was a future medical practice. But by saying "in his hometown," Li Shimin understood exactly what he meant.

"Let him try." Li Shimin had no better options now; he had to trust Wen He. Furthermore, he wanted to prove something: if Wen He could use future methods to save Jing Junhong, then his previous claims regarding Guan Yin-bei were likely true as well.

"Your efforts will be appreciated," Li Shimin said to the terrified A-Gui. A-Gui shivered, his legs giving out; if not for those beside him holding him up, he would have collapsed to the ground. "You really want to stitch a living person?" He swallowed hard, overcome with panic. *Are these nobles really this cruel?*

"What are you afraid of? Just treat it as... treat it as you would normally." Wen He had intended to say "as you would a corpse," but Li Shimin, seemingly guessing his intent, glared at him, cutting him off.

"Let's go. First, I need to take you to wash your hands and sterilize them. We have a surgery to perform." It was a pity there was no time to prepare a dedicated room, or the results would be even better. "Bring the boiled needles and thread over. Remember, wash your hands with warm water before touching anything. Do not let them get dirty."

Wen He reminded the people outside, and the servant named A-Tu hurried to carry out the task. Seeing the Prince of Qin present, he was eager to make a good impression, but he was interrupted by a disgruntled voice nearby: "All irrelevant people, stop blocking the way! Leave this place!"

Wen He didn't name anyone, but Li Shimin and the others knew he was referring to them.

"Duke of Su, I am talking about you. Stop staring at that wine; His Highness isn't going to let you drink it. You had better leave quickly."

Before Li Shimin could express his anger, Wen He had already shifted the focus. Cheng Zhijie, who had been staring at the wine jar, looked up in astonishment and pointed at himself. "I’m standing ten paces away from you; how am I in your way? Why don't you say anything to His Highness? He’s the one blocking the doorway..."

His voice trailed off abruptly. Seeing the glare from Li Shimin, he snapped his mouth shut.