Zhou Maochun is too formidable this week! To turn things around like this!
Why could Liu Pucheng find such a powerful backer, while I am so terribly unlucky? Backers crumble!
Dong Lin had initially been crying performatively, but the thought brought forth genuine sorrow.
I am clearly the smarter one, yet Master always favored the old and dull Liu Pucheng. I, who hold the rank of Yuanli (Clerk) in the Imperial Medical Academy, actually needed help from this insignificant Liu Pucheng!
What on earth is happening?
Dong Lin asked this, and Liu Pucheng was asking the same.
Ever since Elder Physician An arrived, Liu Pucheng had moved the disciples of Qianjintang out of the Chen family residence and into Elder Physician An’s house.
Except for Hu San, who busied himself daily running errands to inquire about the progress of the matter, everyone else was confined strictly to the residence, not daring to step out. Elder Physician An only told them not to worry, offering no specifics whatsoever.
“Senior Brother, I was deceived by Physician Qin!” Dong Lin wept, clinging to Liu Pucheng’s arm in agony. “He said the offense you committed was too serious, and I panicked. Senior Brother, I have no parents, and Master is already gone—you are all I have left. I truly feared something would happen to you, which is why I voluntarily submitted that memorial confessing my faults…”
Liu Pucheng’s mind grew muddled from his weeping.
“What exactly happened?” he asked. “Tell me clearly.”
Hu San snorted from the side.
“What else could it be? It must be that Master is innocent, and he’s just being opportunistic again, playing the victim for pity,” he remarked.
Dong Lin dared not conceal anything further, tearfully recounting the events, though he stressed that he too was a victim, having been deceived and coerced.
“Senior Brother, since Master disappeared and you left the capital, life has been incredibly difficult for me alone…” he said, wiping his tears.
Liu Pucheng sighed softly.
“Relying on your medical skills to earn a living—what is so difficult about that?” he said plainly, pushing Dong Lin’s hand away.
Dong Lin attempted to say more, but Liu Pucheng stopped him.
“Go back now. Don’t let this happen again,” he instructed.
Dong Lin’s outward appearance was one of deep shame, but inwardly, he was overjoyed.
Given the current situation, he felt immensely fortunate that he had never truly broken ties with Liu Pucheng.
It wasn't that he hadn't wanted to; he had simply been waiting for an opportunity—one that would allow him supreme satisfaction while leaving the other party utterly humiliated.
Dong Lin never expected to find himself so grateful that this opportune moment had not yet arrived.
Just as Dong Lin was being dismissed, Qi Yue arrived and was greeted with enthusiastic welcome from the disciples upon entering.
“Everyone knows already?” Qi Yue was surprised, laughing lightly. “I was planning to give you all a surprise.”
“No need for surprises; we knew for sure everything would be fine,” Hu San called out.
The disciples burst into laughter.
“Who was it that couldn’t eat or sleep every day?” they teased.
“I was furious! Furious at those blind fools!” Hu San retorted.
While the disciples were chatting and laughing, Liu Pucheng spoke to Qi Yue about Dong Lin’s situation.
“If the threat of imprisonment can be avoided, it should be,” he sighed.
Qi Yue frowned slightly.
“But this person clearly has malicious intent, and he has been very unkind to you. His words are not trustworthy,” she said.
Liu Pucheng sighed again.
“He is, after all, from the same lineage,” he murmured.
Qi Yue had no choice but to nod.
“I’ll speak to my sworn father about it later, and we’ll just send him far away,” she suggested.
Liu Pucheng offered his repeated thanks.
Elder Physician An also entered at that moment.
“It is truly cause for celebration that Elder Lord Zhou can serve as the Medical Commander (Yiling). This is a blessing for us imperial physicians,” he exclaimed.
“If he wanted the post, he could have taken it long ago,” Qi Yue shook her head.
The others fell silent.
Given Zhou Maochun’s medical skill and seniority, if he desired the position, truly no second person in the realm could contest him.
He simply didn't wish to take it, yet now he has accepted the role of Yiling.
“He is doing this to support me,” Qi Yue surmised.
“This is not just about supporting you,” Elder Physician An said with a knowing smile. “Elder Lord Zhou has secluded himself for too long. His re-emergence is a blessing for everyone, for all the imperial physicians.”
Dong Lin, in his desperate attempt to gain Liu Pucheng’s sympathy earlier, had hidden nothing regarding the events at the Imperial Medical Academy. Everyone present now knew about the speech Zhou Maochun had made in that room.
Healing is inherently fraught with peril and uncertainty, especially when imperial physicians are treating the powerful and noble; they work under constant fear. Having someone powerful to back them—even if it offers no tangible help—provides some measure of comfort to the heart.
“Indeed. If Lord Zhou had managed affairs sooner, Elder Physician An’s leg wouldn't have been broken,” Hu San interjected thoughtlessly.
He had truly brought up the most sensitive topic!
Everyone glared at him.
“Exactly right,” Hu San insisted, feeling he hadn't said anything wrong, and added another comment.
Qi Yue coughed lightly.
“We’ve finished with the good news. Now for a difficult matter that requires everyone’s counsel,” she quickly changed the subject.
A difficult matter?
Everyone turned to Qi Yue with slight nervousness.
“I met with His Majesty today,” Qi Yue announced, withdrawing a brilliant yellow memorial from her sleeve. “His Majesty requires Qianjintang to undertake a specific task.”
Upon seeing the item in Qi Yue’s hand, the disciples grew excited once more.
“Is this the Emperor’s Edict?” Zhang Tong asked, his face flushed with excitement, wiping his hands repeatedly on his clothes, yet hesitating to take it. “Should we kneel?”
Hu San snatched it first and opened it to read.
“Senior Brother, this isn't that kind of Edict, don’t be so nervous,” he said, but his trembling hands showed his nervousness was little less than Zhang Tong’s.
“His Majesty means for Qianjintang to be responsible for military medical affairs?” Liu Pucheng hadn't reached for the memorial; he simply listened to Qi Yue’s summary.
Qi Yue nodded.
“This is a good thing,” Elder Physician An commented again with emotion.
Although Zhang Tong and the others understood what the memorial contained, they still wished to see the Emperor's own calligraphy with their own eyes. However, Hu San kept looking back and forth, unable to finish reading, prompting the other disciples to urge him along.
“Hold on, hold on,” Hu San cried out, muttering to himself, “Why can’t I find it?”
“What are you looking for?” the disciples asked, confused.
“Master!” Hu San looked up and shouted. “Why didn't the Emperor mention anything about payment?”
Everyone paused, not quite grasping his meaning.
“We spent so much money! Wasn’t it said that official commendations and such always come with money?” Hu San continued to call out.
The disciples couldn't help but laugh, and Zhang Tong playfully slapped Hu San on the head.
Qi Yue also smiled.
“Now that we have this,” she laughed, pointing to the memorial still clutched by Hu San, “are you still worried about money?”
“That’s for the future. What about what we already lost?” Hu San grumbled.
“You money-grubber!” Zhang Tong declared, snatching the memorial and moving aside to read it with focus.
While Hu San continued to mutter, Qi Yue spoke with Liu Pucheng and Elder Physician An.
“This task is indeed difficult; it cannot be accomplished in a few days by just one or two people,” Elder Physician An observed.
Qi Yue and Liu Pucheng nodded in agreement.
“Lady Yue Niang is fully responsible for this matter, but deciding exactly whom to implement it requires careful consideration…” Elder Physician An continued. “After all, this involves military matters; it is quite inconvenient for you, Lady Yue Niang, to be a woman in that capacity.”
“I will go,” Liu Pucheng quickly volunteered.
“That won’t do. Qianjintang in Yongqing Prefecture cannot be left without you,” Qi Yue immediately protested.
Some disciples had left Yongqing Prefecture to combat the plague, and the newly recruited disciples were not yet capable of managing independently. Yongqing Prefecture was the foundation of Qianjintang and could not be abandoned.
“Master.”
Someone near the side suddenly called out.
Everyone turned to see Zhang Tong looking over, his eyes bright, clutching the memorial tightly in his hand.
“Master,” he stepped forward a few paces, his excitement barely contained. “Your disciple is willing to go!”
He paused, then rephrased: “Disciple, I want to go!”
As soon as he spoke, the other disciples realized the implication and immediately followed suit.
“Master, we want to go!”
“Master, we ask to go!”
Except for Hu San, almost all the disciples stepped forward.
The previous plague prevention effort wasn't Zhang Tong’s specialty, but this time, military surgical treatment was his domain. Moreover, this was a direct imperial command; they could imagine the prospects awaiting them if they succeeded.
The disciples who handled the plague outbreak were already capable of working independently. Achieving local renown and establishing themselves in such a short time meant that even if they never became famous great physicians, possessing that skill set would secure comfort and sustenance for several generations of their descendants.
Now, the opportunity had finally come for them.
Qi Yue looked at the assembled disciples.
“Although there is His Majesty’s decree, this task sounds simple, but it will be incredibly hard to execute. Not only difficult, but it will be arduous and dangerous,” she warned.
“Master, physicians do not avoid danger,” Zhang Tong stated firmly. “Please do not ask us such questions again, Master. Those who come from Qianjintang fear nothing.”
The other disciples nodded in affirmation.
“Let him go. Zhang Tong has been with me long enough; he is ready to graduate,” Liu Pucheng also spoke up.
Qi Yue finally nodded.
“Very well, then you shall go. I will remain in the capital to support you. Go with confidence; as long as you do not violate medical ethics, if any trouble arises, place it all on my shoulders,” she said with a gentle smile.
In early April, Zhangye Garrison City finally showed signs of spring.
“Someone! Someone! Where are you military physicians? Hurry out here!”
A loud voice shouted from outside.
The military physicians busy inside the room all paused, their hearts sinking, and looked toward Qiao Minghua.
Were they finally going to be held accountable for the things they had done?
Qiao Minghua set down his pestle and strode out, while the others hesitated for a moment before following.
Three military officers stood outside—a rare occurrence; even when they were mobilized for campaigns, these particular officials were never sent.
“You scoundrels are incredibly lucky!” one of them shouted in a rough voice.
The man next to him hissed in warning.
“Speak properly,” he reminded him, before turning to Qiao Minghua and the others. His arrogant demeanor softened slightly. “Congratulations. The commendations for military merit have arrived. Your Military Physician Battalion will henceforth have benefits equal to the First Echelon Team. Qiao Minghua, you are hereby granted the rank of Squad Leader (Jiazhang).”
Everyone listening froze in place.
What… did that mean?