THE NEW THREAT

Treating people is not an easy matter, especially when we lack of knowledge. Zhu Su just studied the surface of acupuncture, and today he just began with the lesson of the acupuncture points. But he must use that inadequate knowledge to heal so many war-injured people as soon as possible.

"Is the enemy we have to fight against so strong it causes so many wounded soldiers in Shan's side?" Zhu Su asked Myine, a commander of Shan State. Their skillful in treating people had been so well known it soon attracted some military commanders to visit Gao Qing's hut, hence they were well-acquainted with some high-level military commanders in Shan State, Myine was one of them. Unlike his colleagues, Myine could speak Chinese quite fluently. Although right now Zhu Su and his gangs had mastered Shan languages a little (finally they forced themselves to study Shan language since their inability in Shan language would burden them to communicate with the locals). From Myine, Zhu Su could gain useful information about the current situation and it gave him quite a lot benefit.

"The enemy is stronger than us, plus they get support from another country. We must exert our best effort to defend our country, or else our country will be in danger," Myine answered gloomily.

"Shan States is quite unstable, then..."

"Here most countries are still in the mess. Especially after the fall of Yuan. The countries that were once under the reigning of Yuan, after getting independent they start to arrange their respective military power and thus start beating the drum war. All of them try to be number one." Myine leaned back on his chair.

"You said, the enemy gets the support from another country?" Zhu Youdun asked.

"Yes," answered Myine. "From the Ming."

The needle Zhu Su was holding slipped from his hand and fell onto the ground.

"Ming... attacks Shan States?..."

"The military forces of the enemy becomes so strong in a sudden. They can't be so powerful just in a short time, we know everything about their power. It is clear that they gain support from another party. And, the country who can support with such powerful forces... no one can do this except the Ming."

Zhu Su and Zhu Youdun looked at each other.

"Sir... Have you done it yet? My hands are so numb..."

It was the moan of his patient which "called" him back, reminded him that he was treating patients. "Ah... yes! Not yet, Sir! You should wait for a moment!"

Zhu Su immediately picked another needle up, and prepared to insert it into the Hegu point located in the middle of each radial side of the metacarpal bone.

"Auch!" Right when the needle touched the skin, the soldier screamed. His screams made Zhu Su, who was still a novice in acupuncture, grow even more worried.

"Sir... it will be hurtful... please hold it on from a moment..." Forcing his trembling fingers, Zhu Su tried to dampen all his nervousness and forced to insert the needle into the skin.

"Hey! Don't waste so much time! That will make the patient even more painful!"

Gao Qing glared at Zhu Su who soon turned dumbfounded.

"But... he says that he hurts so much..."

"It will be even more painful for him if you insert the needle in such a slow manner. Do it fast, it won't hurt!"

"Alright!..."

Forcing himself to be more courageous, Zhu Su inserted the needle with his best effort.

"AUUCCCHHH!"

The soldier shouted so loudly, his hand which was being treated twitched automatically, while his head and body swayed to and fro.

"You insert it too deeply, that's why "De Qi" he gets is so strong." Gao Qing explained, while Zhu Su was gaping in shock

"What is De Qi, Sir?" Standing aside, Zhu Youdun asked.

"De Qi; "De" is to get, "Qi" is Energy. De Qi is a condition when the insertion of the acupuncture needle gets its reaction. Patients will get some uncommon sensations such as numbness, sting, pain, or others. De Qi is closely related to the results of healing in acupuncture."

"Thence, with strong De Qi, the patient will get cured even faster, right? It is better, isn't it?"

"If it's too strong and a patient is a hypersensitive person, he will be painful for days or even weeks."

"Ouch..." Zhu Su moaned. "So what should I do?..."

"Take it easy, let it be. This man is a soldier, he is not fragile. But you should remember; always insert the needle fast and do not hesitate when doing it."

Gao Qing turned around and treated another patient. Myine watched at Zhu Su who was focusing on inserting the next needle, as well as Zhu Youdun and Hu Nayin who were no less nervous than him. "You just learn acupuncture?"

"Yes..." Zhu Su's eyes were still stick on his focus.

"You have to do your best, guys. We all depend on you."

"But, doesn't the government give any support?"

"The government has provided its best support, but it's still not enough. In fact, the government itself is in such a tumult. Therefore, if the enemy can be defeated, all of you who help to heal the army will certainly be highly rewarded by the government."

"Please never say that, Commander Myine. It is our duty to help others," replied Zhu Su. "We are so ashamed of not being able to help you well."

Finally, Zhu Su managed to handle a patient several minutes later, slower than Gao Qing who had already healed three patients. While many patients were still queuing to be treated.

Zhu Su immediately turned to the second army.

"Hey, Dude! Don't make the wrong insertion!" Knowing Zhu Su was just a beginner in acupuncture, the patient uttered.

"I will exert my best effort to treat you," Zhu Su assured him.

"Such a novice like you want to handle me! If you make me more painful... you know what'll happen!" He growled, his fist even was ready to hit.

"Hey, Sir! How can you say such a thing to the person who treats you!" Could not accept a soldier had guts to threaten his father, Zhu Youdun soon stood up for his father.

"It's okay, Youdun. Chill." Trying to calm down his son and ignore the haughty soldier, Zhu Su assured the soldier again, "Don't worry, Sir. Everything will be alright."

The soldier snorted in disdain and looked with insulting manner to Zhu Su. Zhu Youdun gnashed his teeth, mind was fury with that humiliation.

You just have no idea about who we are, arrogant man! Ah... but Fu Wang can handle his emotion and does his duty professionally. Fu Wang is right, we're not royalty anymore. What we have to do is ignoring all humiliation, and just focusing on our duty.

However, there were more people who trusted them, since Mogaung soldiers were very happy with anyone who was willing to heal them at this disastrous time. Even a soldier said, "If you want to use human body as a learning material, just use me! I don't mind, really!"

"Really, Sir?" Hu Nayin asked in disbelief.

"Exactly! After all, it makes me more healthy!"

"I agree with him! Just do the same with me! You can make improvements in learning, and I get healthy at the same time!" Another soldier also shouted. And so did the others.

Zhu Su stared at them deeply, his eyes gleamed as he was so touched, and his lips curved broadly when he answered, "Many thanks... for your trust towards us. I promise, I will exert my best effort to help healing you!"