Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 50: Can’t eat and walk around

Study in the Shen Mansion.

Zhang Luan, who had figured out the reason, quickly tried to make amends: "At least the conclusion I came to is indeed so... Now that all the speculations have been made, let's see if it happens. Let me ask you, if there was no earthquake, would the local government report it as an earthquake?"

Shen Lu shook his head and said, "I thought so before, so I reported it for you. After all, the matter came from Minister Li, and the local government will definitely give him some face.

"But...someone has been deliberately spreading this matter in the capital recently, deliberately making it known to everyone. If the earthquake hadn't happened, I'm afraid it would have ended badly."

Zhang Luan lowered his head in shame: "I don't want to either!"

Shen Lu smiled and comforted him, "You've already mentioned it, so why worry? First, do a good job in preventing and treating smallpox. Minister Li recently sent someone to inquire about it. Xingji's prevention and treatment of smallpox is indeed very effective. Even the most demanding inspectors can't find any fault with you. What are you worried about?"

Zhang Luan smiled bitterly and said, "I'm fine with curing diseases, but I can only prevent acne, not much else."

Shen Lu sighed, "Being able to prevent smallpox is already amazing. How many people have died from smallpox since ancient times? If you can really cure it, this alone will be enough to make you famous in history. This time the capital has begun to test your method, which is also meant to highlight your achievements. If it can have an immediate effect this time, who will dare to say anything when you enter the Imperial Hospital in the future?"

"Oh."

Zhang Luan's expression was still full of bitterness.

Shen Lu continued, "Minister Li, I have one more thing to ask you. Since you have predicted in advance that a noble lady in the palace is ill, are you sure about her condition?"

Zhang Luan coughed twice and shook his head, "I'm not sure... It's best not to get involved in this kind of thing."

Shen Lu nodded slightly: "It is always better to be cautious. Minister Li has not disclosed your condition to the public. If His Majesty knew about it, he might directly summon you to the palace. Although it is an opportunity to show your face in front of the saint, it is also extremely dangerous. If you can't be cured, you may lose your life... Let's not talk about it for now."

Zhang Luan nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, we don't do things beyond our ability. Your Majesty's illness is not something that a mere country bumpkin like me can take care of."

Shen Lu asked curiously, "Brother Lai Zhan, you are a student with a bright future, why do you seem so humble about certain things?
"It's not wrong to be a little humble occasionally, but being overly humble will make people think that you are not talented and capable enough. But now that you are a great talent appreciated by Minister Li, there is really no need to be like that."

Zhang Luan secretly complained, I just don’t feel confident.

At home, I rely on yelling, and when I go out, I rely on hiding...

Let me have the confidence, can I have it?

"Minister Li recently compiled some changes in the celestial phenomena and asked me to bring them to you. Please help me study them. You don't have to respond right away. You can study them when you have time in the next few days."

Shen Lu took out a thick envelope containing astrological information carefully compiled by Li Zisheng.

After Zhang Luan took it, his hands trembled a little.

Or maybe it’s because of my own lack of ability that I feel this thing is too hot to handle.

……

……

After Zhang Luan came out of Shen's house, he did not go home directly, but prepared to go to the Imperial College.

He was still feeling somewhat uncomfortable and had completely forgotten about the gift Shen Lu had given him in return.

At this time, the steward of the Shen Mansion chased out from the gate and said with a smile: "Master Zhang, you have something to do first. My master has ordered that the things will be delivered to your house."

"Oh."

Zhang Luan was distracted and just responded casually.

Just as he was about to walk to the Imperial College, the steward of the Shen Mansion said from behind: "Mr. Zhang, are you going to Beiyong? My master has specially prepared a carriage and a driver to take you there." "Ah..."

Zhang Luan suddenly realized what was going on and quickly declined: "I can go there on my own, no need to trouble myself."

"You're welcome. These are all gifts from my master." The steward of the Shen residence called the coachman to drive the carriage over, bowed to Zhang Luan, and personally handed over the horse stool.

"Master Zhang, you are a relative of my master. I heard that you have cured many villagers and saved countless lives. You are a good doctor. If you have time, you may come to the mansion to plant medicine for us.

"I heard from the master that you are destined to enter the Imperial Hospital in the future. Everyone in the palace who mentions you expresses their admiration from the bottom of their hearts... Please come in, please come in."

……

……

Too inside the hospital.

On that day, the judge Qian Dun summoned the imperial physicians Zhong Lan and Liu Wentai to discuss the promotion of this medicine in the capital to prevent and treat smallpox.

Liu Wentai said: "This matter has spread like wildfire in Northern Zhili. They all say that there is a magic medicine that can prevent and treat smallpox, but... I don't know what kind of medicine it is that is so miraculous? Or is it that some villains are using strange powers to deceive the common people, so that everyone is bewitched by them?"

Qian Dun said, "I don't know the specific situation, but I just received a report that the person who discovered and promoted it was a student from Hejian Prefecture. He is now a student in Beiyong. He is highly praised by local officials and inspectors, so I think there is a reason. As for whether he has real talent and knowledge, we will know after verification."

"This……"

Zhong Lan hesitated and said, "It's winter now, and there are many nobles in the palace who are sick. We are already short of manpower, and we have to transfer people to other places? Will it be a loss for both?"

Qian Dun frowned, "The Ministry of Rites has ordered that the Imperial Hospital be responsible for supervising this matter. We must send someone to participate... It is said that Li Shilang of the Silver Bureau personally greeted the Ministry of Rites. It seems that Li Shilang admires this person very much and even plans to transfer him to the Imperial Hospital."

"So this person has a strong background!"

Liu Wentai seemed very nervous. "This lucky guy entering the Imperial Hospital will not only interfere with our work, but it is also very likely to take away the credit and position that should belong to us. We have to be on guard!"

Qian Dun glanced at Liu Wentai and said, "Isn't it too early for you to worry about this?"

Liu Wentai said: "I heard that there is a famous doctor named Wang Ji in Huizhou who has been practicing medicine for generations. He is on his way to the capital... Huizhou merchants plan to open a clinic in the capital to treat patients. This is also a great threat to us."

Qian Dun and Zhong Lan both looked at Liu Wentai. Although they had long known that Liu Wentai liked to engage in power struggles, what he said was true after all.

In history, Liu Wentai was a person who was very good at scheming. Although his medical skills were not very good, he was as good as a seasoned politician when it came to conspiracy and deception.

Qian Dun said, "There have been occasional smallpox outbreaks in the suburbs of Beijing recently. If it spreads to the city, people will be in a panic. In this winter, the flow of ordinary people in the city increases, which brings some troubles to disease prevention. This time the court intends to promote the method of planting medicine to prevent diseases, so we still have to be cautious. Wei Xin, you go and do this."

Originally, Qian Dun planned to let Liu Wentai assist Zhang Luan in promoting this herbal medicine.

But seeing Liu Wentai's wary attitude towards Zhang Luan, he was afraid that he might cause trouble and incur Li Zisheng's hatred or even revenge, so he had to replace Zhong Lan.

Zhong Lan frowned: "Something happened at home recently, so I may not be able to hold on for long. Why not...change someone else?"

Qian Dun said, "Things have to be done in turns. If you don't want to go, then who will? Treating the noble master in the palace can gain credit, but it also involves huge risks. This time, it was Minister Li who ordered it himself. He is our immediate superior, watching every move of the Imperial Hospital. How can we not follow his instructions?"

This was a reminder to Zhong Lan not to let Liu Wentai go, mainly because he might offend Li Zisheng.

As for Zhang Luan, he is a small figure. After all, he is just a student and has no official status. His influence is limited. But if he offends Li Zisheng, everyone in the Imperial Hospital may be in trouble.

(End of this chapter)