"I came on horseback."
"Then come with me, I'll find you a good horse."
Ignoring the curious stares of others, Wu Sangui personally led me to his stable, where he brought out a magnificent, dappled horse, saying, "This horse can truly travel a thousand miles a day; its name is the 'Ten Thousand Miles Formless Rouge-Eyed Beast'..."
I blurted out, "It's not that complicated—Little Flower Rabbit!"
The little rabbit looked at me, its expression quite disdainful, but thankfully it didn't spit on me. This shows that this horse probably can't be compared to Xiang Yu's black rabbit or Guan Yu's red rabbit…
I mounted my horse and rode to the drill ground. Zhao Yun was resting with the soldiers. I pulled on the reins and called out, "Zilong!"
Zhao Yun stood up and asked, "Brother Xiao Qiang, is everything done?"
I nodded and said, "Brother Qiang will go first."
Zhao Yun asked, "What's wrong?"
I said, "Your sister-in-law is about to give birth."
Zhao Yun laughed and said, "Congratulations, Brother Xiao Qiang! Now you should go quickly."
I said, "You and your brothers don't need to rush. It's not too late to set off after you've eaten and drunk your fill. You can ride those 500 horses back to the Three Kingdoms." Anyway, Liu Bei's soldiers were riding Liu Bang's horses, so this way the benefits weren't going to go to outsiders.
After bidding farewell to everyone, I spurred my horse and galloped towards the parking area. Little Rabbit was a bit more docile than the other big horses, but she was surprisingly fast; even on the calm military road, her speed was so fast the wind seemed to pierce my eardrums. Even so, I still twisted my body restlessly. If I didn't get back before the baby was born, Baozi would lead her Qin soldiers to hunt me down the world after her postpartum confinement. And honestly, at this moment, what soon-to-be father wouldn't be anxious? I remembered the due date, but several dynasties had changed the time difference over the past few days, and I was completely confused. Who knew she was giving birth today?
With the little rabbit, we were finally several times faster than on the way here. Upon arriving at the Three Kingdoms location, I casually tossed my horse to one of my second brother's men and turned to get into the carriage. Zhuge Liang asked, "Xiao Qiang, where are you going?"
As I started the car, I asked, "Strategist, do you know anything about childbirth?"
I fully expected him to say "I know a little," but Zhuge Liang shook his head and said, "I don't know much, my wife is not yet pregnant."
I started the car, waved to him, and said, "Tell my second brother and the others that I have to go. After my wife gives birth, I'll bring her to see you and your sister-in-law." I heard that Zhuge Liang's wife wasn't exactly beautiful, but she was just as intelligent as Zhuge Liang. If Baozi really has postpartum depression, she could talk to her.
Needless to say, it was another mad dash. Lanterns were already being set up in front of the Xiao mansion, and people were naturally offering their congratulations upon my arrival. I got out of the car and ran into the courtyard. I saw Fatty, Liu Bang, and Xiang Yu all pacing back and forth with their hands behind their backs and crouching low. Ersha was staring at the sky at a 45-degree angle, and Yu Ji, supported by Xiao Huan, kept asking about the situation in the midwife's room. In front of the main house, a dozen or so maids and servants were bustling about, carrying water and towels. I casually asked, "How is it?"
Baozi, who was inside the room, heard me speak and immediately cried out, "Qiangzi, you bastard—ouch, my stomach hurts!" This was before she gave birth.
I craned my neck and said, "Hang in there, it won't hurt anymore after the baby is born." I wiped my sweat, sat down, took out a cigarette, and waved it at Xiang Yu. Xiang Yu shook his head, glanced at Yu Ji's protruding belly by the door, and said thoughtfully, "Do you think childbirth is always this painful for women?"
I chuckled and said, "I don't know. I've heard that some people poop in their pants while they're working."
Xiang Yu glanced at me, kicked me, and said, "I said, Baozi, you don't seem worried at all about giving birth in such a backward place? You didn't expect the child to be born in the Qin Dynasty, did you?" Her family was unhappy.
I lit a cigarette, exhaled smoke rings, and said nonchalantly, "I expected this." I didn't mention that I'd been on edge the whole way, and besides, I was prepared for this—as the protagonist of a book, it would be a miracle if my wife could give birth smoothly in a 21st-century delivery room! I knew long before Baozi came to Qin Dynasty that I wouldn't be able to go back until the baby was born!
Of course, the main reason I'm not too worried is because Baozi's shouts sounded very forceful, so I don't think there will be any dramatic complications during childbirth. Besides, my mom said before, judging from Baozi's buttocks, it'll definitely be a smooth delivery!
Chapter 204 Difficult Childbirth
Baozi was whining inside, while the rest of us were anxiously waiting outside. Xiang Yu couldn't help but ask me, "Xiao Qiang, do you want a boy or a girl?"
I waved my hand and said, "It's the same whether you have a boy or a girl."
Xiang Yu said, "I wonder who this child will resemble?"
Li Shishi said, "I've heard that men resemble their mothers and women resemble their fathers."
Upon hearing this, everyone stared at my face, and thinking about what Baozi looked like, they couldn't help but chuckle. Qin Shi Huang sighed, "It's really tough on Qiangzi."
That's quite a dilemma. Think about it, having a boy who's like a steamed bun or a girl who's like me... that doesn't seem like the worst thing. The worst thing is having a girl who's like a steamed bun or a boy who's like me... I hope what Li Shishi said is true!
At this moment, Baozi's groans suddenly subsided a lot, and I couldn't help but ask anxiously, "Why is there still no movement?"
Qin Shi Huang beckoned to an old woman and asked, "So, how did it go?"
The old woman gestured and said, "Your Majesty, it seems normal so far, but judging from the Grand Marshal's belly, the child may be a bit bigger than average."
I jumped up and asked urgently, "What do you mean?"
The old woman was startled and said cautiously, "It means it might take more effort."
I asked, "Will it be dangerous?"
The old woman stammered, "It's hard to say, it probably won't..."
I immediately tensed up. Giving birth in a place like the Qin Dynasty, where medical care was scarce, my only reliance was on Baozi's consistently healthy and strong constitution, but it seems that things still went wrong. Our child also inherited the boldness and grandeur of his mother's Xiang clan, which created considerable trouble for his birth.
By this time, Baozi was too exhausted to scold me, and kept groaning, "It's killing me in waves!" After a while, she suddenly shouted, "I can't take it anymore!"
I couldn't hold back any longer. My expression changed instantly, and I grabbed Qin Shi Huang, saying, "Brother Ying, don't you have any good doctors here?"
Fatty Ying, whose hands were also cold, said, "This is just a person who goes to the doctor for his wife when he's hungry."
Liu Bang said, "How about I bring my wife here? After all, she has given birth before."
Xiang Yu threw him at the door: "Then why don't you hurry up and go!"
Li Shishi bit her lip lightly and suddenly said, "There may be no obstetricians and gynecologists in this area, but there might be some nearby!"
Qin Shi Huang said, "I know I'm hungry in my own territory..."
Li Shishi resolutely replied, "I'm not referring to the Qin Dynasty."
Her words immediately enlightened everyone. Xiang Yu exclaimed excitedly, "Quickly think, who are the most famous doctors closest to the Qin Dynasty?"
I blurted out, "Hua Tuo!"