Chapter 1300: Chapter 1278: Agenda Discussion
Mr. Zhuang had clearly conducted a thorough study of the Imperial Hospital’s past, speaking with precision and clarity. Not only were Bai Shan and the three youngsters captivated, but even Xiang Mingxue listened in a daze.
In the previous dynasty, the Imperial Medical Bureau educated students on managing public ailments. Moreover, the Imperial Secretariat had a Pharmaceutical Bureau responsible for purchasing and storing medicinal ingredients, which would be distributed to the populace in case of pandemics or epidemics.
Mr. Zhuang said, “I consulted Mr. Jiang. Although the Imperial Medical Bureau is still nominally under the Imperial Ministry of Rites, it is no longer managed by them. It now functions independently, currently overseen by Director Xiao.”
“The Director is ranked at Fourth Tier, only one rank below the Minister of Rites.” Mr. Zhuang lifted his gaze and glanced at Bai Shan and Manbao. Though he didn’t know what solution they were deliberating, understanding one’s student is the teacher’s skill. He remarked, “If you wish to reform the Imperial Hospital into the Imperial Medical Bureau and establish a Female Medical Hospital alongside it, this will not be easy.”
Bai Shan curiously asked, “Then, who was in charge of the Imperial Medical Bureau in the past?”
“The Imperial Medical Officer. There were two of them, and their rank was only Seventh Tier.”
Everyone pondered, realizing why the task wasn’t easy. If the old system were restored, Director Xiao would be demoted from Fourth Tier to Seventh Tier.
After providing his knowledge to the group, Mr. Zhuang leisurely sat and waited for the venison to be served.
Manbao, after pondering for a moment, said, “Why must we always return to the past? Couldn’t we adopt only the beneficial aspects of the old system and combine them with the present?”
Bai Shan replied, “You mean you want to adopt the Imperial Medical Bureau’s system but preserve the current official ranks?”
Manbao nodded.
Bai Shan considered it feasible. Xiang Mingxue, who had been listening for a while and had grasped the context, chuckled, “How can such good fortune exist in the world? If you want both, you might end up losing both.”
Mr. Zhuang nodded slightly and smiled, “The Imperial Medical Bureau’s system would require adding many officials. If you also wish to maintain the current ranks, the operation costs for only the Imperial Medical Bureau would skyrocket. This would involve not only the Imperial Ministry of Rites but also the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue. It’s unlikely they would approve.”
Manbao and Bai Shan exchanged a glance and started contemplating deeply.
When the venison was ready, Mr. Zhuang smiled and said, “This isn’t something that can be resolved in a short time. Why don’t you calm your minds first, think about the kind of Imperial Medical Bureau and Female Medical Hospital you wish for, and then discuss the system?”
“As for the interests tied to all this, that shouldn’t be your concern,” he said with a laugh. “Young people shouldn’t overthink—they might stunt their growth. It’s fine to be a bit reckless occasionally.”
If you consider everything too thoroughly, you might lose your spirit, and the result may deviate from its original intention.
Bai Shan and Manbao, hearing this, felt relieved and their thoughts broadened.
The two exchanged glances and earnestly began brainstorming. What kind of Imperial Medical Bureau and Female Medical Hospital did they truly wish for?
No, more accurately—it was about what kind of Imperial Medical Bureau and Female Medical Hospital Manbao wished for.
Her initial intention was to enable female doctors to diagnose and prescribe, cultivating more female doctors. But after hearing the teacher’s explanation, she realized the Imperial Medical Bureau’s past responsibilities were abundant. Could female doctors in the future undertake these tasks within the Female Medical Hospital?
Manbao was ambitious, Bai Shan was there to refine her ideas, and Bai Erlang enthusiastically contributed random embellishments behind them. As a result, their notebook filled up with increasingly wild suggestions.
By the next morning, when Mr. Zhuang saw their notebook, it was already brimming with chaotic recommendations. After carefully reviewing their notes, he chuckled and shook his head. Instead of asking them to revise anything, he simply said, “Since you wish to do this, why not draft a proposal? That way, if the Empress asks, you’ll have a response ready.”
Manbao tilted her head and asked, “How do we write a proposal?”
Mr. Zhuang smiled with narrowed eyes, stood up, walked over to his desk, and rummaged around for quite a while. Finally, he unearthed an old memorial and handed it to them, saying, “I borrowed this from Mr. Jiang. Take a look, and if there’s anything you don’t understand, ask me. This memorial is borrowed—it’s a copy of a proposal by a renowned minister in the previous dynasty addressed to the last emperor. Be careful not to damage it. It must be returned to Mr. Jiang later.”
Manbao took the memorial, nodded blankly, and then went to study it with Bai Shan and Bai Erlang. But as soon as Bai Erlang saw the dense rows of text, he got a headache, so he tilted his head slightly and said, “You study it. When you’re done, read it to me so I can draft something for you.”
Bai Shan, displeased with his laziness, said, “Go to the bookshelf and see if there are any books on medical systems. They might be helpful as references later.”
“Forget it. Don’t you already know what books we have at home?” Bai Erlang said. “If you want books, you’d have to go to the Book Collection Tower. I won’t be doing unpaid labor.”
Manbao agreed, “That’s true. We’re already clear on the books we have at home.”
Mr. Zhuang cleared his throat and said, “Alright, it’s getting late. Those who need to go to school should head to school, and those who need to attend to patients should get going.”
Manbao got up and handed the memorial to Bai Shan. “You take this. Today I have to visit the Li Residence to check on Fifth Lady Han and then enter the palace to report to the Empress.”
Bai Shan said, “I’ll head to the Book Collection Tower during lunchtime and the afternoon after school. Make sure you don’t agree to anything with the Empress yet.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t promise her anything.”
Bai Shan felt reassured, then packed the memorial into his book basket and got ready to leave.
The three climbed into the carriage together and set out. After watching them leave, Mr. Zhuang silently tidied up a bit and also left the house.
The weather was cold, and fewer people than usual were on the streets. Consequently, even fewer visitors came to Jishi Hall seeking medical treatment.
Manbao saw five patients that day, and when no new patients showed up, she informed Shopkeeper Zheng before preparing to head to the Li Residence with Shao.
Shopkeeper Zheng handed Shao a box, saying, “This is the premium cubilose that the Li Residence ordered from the shop earlier. Take it with you. Oh, here’s the bill as well—remember to ask them to settle their previous account.”
Manbao curiously leaned forward for a look and couldn’t help but gasp in amazement. “This cubilose is so expensive!”
Shopkeeper Zheng stroked his beard and laughed, “Rare treasures are naturally valuable.”
He grinned and added, “Fifth Lady Han suffered an ordeal during childbirth this time. Both the Li Family and the Han Family ordered quite a bit of tonic from me, including ginseng. Later, when I deliver these goods, you must remind them that she should wait until her body stabilizes after her confinement period before consuming these items.”
Manbao: “… Who remembers to eat ginseng once their body is stable?”
“Why not? It can be used to make soups or stewed chicken—a top-notch tonic. It’s called medicinal cuisine, understand?” Shopkeeper Zheng lightly tapped her head and laughed, “Health maintenance depends on daily accumulation. Why wait until you’re sick to start treating yourself?”
Manbao thought for a moment and felt his reasoning was sound, so she made a mental note.
To ensure she wouldn’t forget, she reminded Shao after they got into the carriage, “When the ginseng is delivered to the Li Residence, remind me, okay? I’m afraid I’ll get too busy and forget.”
Shao nodded.
Manbao’s visit to Fifth Lady Han involved massaging her abdomen and administering acupuncture. When Fifth Lady Han wailed in pain, Manbao steadily removed the needles and said, “The cold weather is beneficial. Don’t let yourself catch a chill, but also don’t place too many fire braziers indoors. Within seven or eight days, your wound should begin to scab over.”
Fifth Lady Han nodded, her pale face betraying her fragility. She asked, “Will the scar on my abdomen disappear?”
Manbao replied, “Completely disappearing is unlikely. I’ll ask Shopkeeper Zheng later if he has any scar-lightening ointments and bring some over for you. It can help fade it a bit.”