Chapter 1297: Chapter 1275: Recruitment
The Empress said, "How can that be learned so easily?"
She hesitated for a moment before saying, "I inquired, and Manbao started studying medicine at around six or seven years old. It has been only six or seven years since then. However, she learned to read early and is quite intelligent, so she is indeed faster than most. I don’t expect all female physicians to be as skilled as her; it suffices for them to be able to treat most common ailments."
"I want the medical women in the palace to learn some medical techniques from her. Most of them already have some foundation; at the very least, they’ve memorized the names of commonly used medicinal herbs, so learning should be easier for them."
The Emperor asked curiously, "Zitong, why did you suddenly think of this?"
The Empress smiled and said, "It’s because of Zhou Man and Ms.Doctor Liu."
She recounted Ms.Doctor Liu’s words from today and said, "Zhou Man has compassion for people and is willing to teach Ms.Doctor Liu, clearly distinguishing her from other doctors."
"Although the imperial physicians serve in the Imperial Hospital, there are very few who are genuinely willing to pass on their best skills to outsiders," she said tactfully. In reality, there was none. Those who were willing to teach often were no longer in the Imperial Hospital. The Empress added, "You need only look at the medical women who have worked in the Imperial Hospital for many years but haven’t learned much to understand this."
"Doctor Xiao and Ms.Doctor Liu even come from families of imperial physicians," the Empress continued. "Since Zhou Man is willing to teach, I want her to teach a few more."
The Emperor chuckled. "Does Zitong intend to establish a separate Imperial Hospital for women physicians?"
The Empress hadn’t considered this initially, but upon hearing it, she began to deliberate. "That might be possible."
The Emperor’s brows twitched, and he felt a slight regret for bringing up the topic. Establishing a separate Imperial Hospital would involve reforming the system, all for the service of the harem?
The Empress said, "I originally thought that once these women complete their medical training, they could be posted to various regions. After they’re deployed, they’ll be able to consult and prescribe in pharmacies. Wouldn’t that give the women of the empire more opportunities for hope? It would also be beneficial for increasing population growth."
The Emperor unconsciously sat up slightly straighter. "Posted to various regions?"
The Empress nodded.
The Emperor considered for a moment and said, "If that’s the case, it might not be impossible. But what if they’re unwilling? After all, this involves exposing themselves in public."
The Empress replied, "There will always be willing individuals, and there will always be ways to manage this."
"Is Zhou Man expected to teach them all by herself? I’ve heard she intends to wander across mountains and rivers in the future, not staying in one place for long."
Evidently, the Emperor was aware of the conversation she had with the Crown Prince.
The Empress pinched him before saying, "This matter is very complex and can’t be decided immediately. But I want to ask Your Majesty: if I insist on pursuing this, the female Imperial Hospital..."
"I will establish it for you!"
"And the funding?" The Empress asked. "Teaching disciples, medicinal expenses, manpower, and resources all require money."
The Emperor held her hand and laughed. "I’ll take it from the private treasury for you. Will that suffice?"
The Empress finally felt satisfied, leaned into his arms, and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The Emperor embraced her, patted her shoulder, and said, "Alright, now you can sleep peacefully, yes? You fret too much. The imperial physicians have already said you need rest for your condition. Leave outside matters to the Crown Princess; she is to be Mother of the Nation in the future. Teach her instead, and don’t overwork yourself."
The Empress responded softly, but her mind was sharp. Even when she tried not to think, she couldn’t help but contemplate matters in her heart.
Thus, she didn’t sleep well all night. The next morning, when she met Manbao, she had taken extra care to dress herself up. But how could she fool someone like Manbao?
At a glance, Manbao noticed that the Empress didn’t look quite right. Upon closer inspection, she realized there was too much powder and immediately offered to check the Empress’s pulse.
The Empress, who had deliberately summoned Manbao through the eunuchs, couldn’t help but position her hands over her abdomen with a smile, saying, "Doctor Zhou Junior, today is not my consultation day. I summoned you for another matter."
Manbao said, "Well, since I’m already here, let me check on Your Majesty anyway. I noticed some dark circles under your eyes. Have you been sleeping poorly?"
Manbao looked concerned. "Has your condition relapsed? Were you sleepless again at night?"
As she spoke, Manbao looked toward Aunt Shang.
Aunt Shang: ...
She silently glanced at the Empress.
The Empress coughed lightly and said, "It’s alright. I just went to bed a bit late last night. I called you here to discuss Ms.Doctor Liu."
Manbao’s attention shifted immediately. "Ms.Doctor Liu?"
The Empress nodded with a smile and asked, "I heard from Ms.Doctor Liu that Doctor Zhou Junior is willing to teach her medical skills?"
Manbao nodded. "Yes, if she’s willing to stay by my side to learn."
The Empress smiled and asked, "His Majesty plans to establish a separate Imperial Hospital in the palace dedicated to female physicians. Would Doctor Zhou Junior be willing to take up a post there?"
Without hesitation, Manbao declined. "Your Majesty, I am still young. I fear I am not fit to hold an official position."
"Taking office depends on talent, not age."
"But my medical knowledge still has many shortcomings, and I wish to continue learning from other doctors outside."
The Empress said, "You could also learn from the imperial physicians in the palace."
Manbao still shook her head. "Though Doctor Xiao and the others are excellent, there is a limit to the ailments encountered within the palace. I still prefer practicing medicine in Jishi Hall. In the future, I may even travel to other places, so I dare not accept Your Majesty’s offer."
The Empress sighed and said, "However, I wish to send more women like Ms.Doctor Liu to study under you. Once they have completed their training, they could not only serve in the female Imperial Hospital but also be assigned to the provinces to treat the people. Was it not you who said that it is extremely difficult for women across the nation to obtain medical care? If there were more female doctors, things would certainly improve."
Upon hearing this, Manbao hesitated briefly. But the image of the Crown Prince slashing an imperial physician lingered in her mind. After a struggle, she still shook her head and said, "Your Majesty, please allow me to return home to think it over. This matter is significant, and I need to consult my family."
The Empress smiled and nodded. "Very well, then return home and discuss it with your family. Should you be willing to accept the offer, the female Imperial Hospital may hold a lower status compared to the Imperial Hospital, but the position of hospital head would be at the fifth rank."
So she accidentally ended up becoming an official?
A fifth-ranked official, no less—a rank higher than County Magistrate Tang.
Manbao marveled inwardly before rising, feeling somewhat dazed, to take her leave. Aunt Shang seized the opportunity to say, "Doctor Zhou Junior, please examine Her Majesty before you go. She might need acupuncture."
The Empress: ...
Manbao considered it and agreed. Since she was already there, she might as well take a look.
Manbao set aside her swirling thoughts, steadied herself, and examined the Empress’s pulse. Upon closer inspection of the Empress’s complexion, she became certain that the Empress had indeed not slept well last night.
Sighing, she asked the Empress to lie down and performed acupuncture. After ensuring that the Empress fell asleep, Manbao sat quietly to collect her thoughts.
The Crown Princess kept her company. Seeing the diminutive Manbao sitting on a stool with her brows furrowed tightly, the Crown Princess lowered her voice and asked, "Would serving in the palace not be a good thing? This is an opportunity to bring glory to your ancestors."