Datang: Just been appointed as the crown prince, the counterattack system is here

Chapter 302 The Royal Medical Academy is Established! Wu Zetian Has Reappeared?! [Requesting Monthly Tickets]

"Your Highness, this is Sun Simiao, also known as Sun Shichang. I wonder if you have heard of his great name?"

Inside the Crown Prince's residence, Zhen Liyan enthusiastically introduced Sun Simiao to Li Chengqian.

When Li Chengqian saw the white-haired but energetic old man in front of him, he couldn't help but show a look of surprise.

If we're talking about the most famous physicians in history, besides Hua Tuo, who was the first to study surgery, this Dr. Sun is probably the most famous.

Li Chengqian never expected to meet him in person.

But then he burst into laughter and exclaimed, "My name is legendary! My name is legendary! Doctor Sun, please!"

"Your Highness is too kind. I am but a humble country doctor, unworthy of the title of divine physician!" Sun Simiao said modestly.

Li Chengqian and Physician Zhen exchanged a glance, smiled noncommittally, and then, while ordering tea and refreshments to be prepared, tentatively asked, "I wonder if Physician Sun has come to participate in the free clinic activities of our medical school?"

"this."

Sun Simiao hesitated for a moment, then looked at Physician Zhen.

But then Physician Zhen smiled and said, "To be honest, Your Highness, my idea is to recommend Physician Sun to serve as the vice dean of the medical academy!"

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian was filled with surprise: "Doctor Sun is willing to serve as the vice dean of my medical school?"

"To be honest, Your Highness, I am quite interested in your new medical techniques. I wonder if I could discuss them with you?" Sun Simiao said, cupping his hands in greeting.

Li Chengqian paused for a moment, then nodded in agreement, saying, "If Dr. Sun can serve as the vice dean of my medical school, I would naturally be happy to discuss new medical techniques with him!"

After saying this, he pointed towards the door and ordered, "Laifu, bring over one of the anatomical models I commissioned for the medical school. Also, bring over my medical kit!"

"promise!"

Lai Fu nodded in agreement and quickly turned and left.

When he returned, the mannequin and medicine box were presented to Zhen Liyan and Sun Simiao.

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Palace, at the Ganlu Hall.

Li Shimin is furious.

"This is unreasonable! This is simply unreasonable!"

"My Tang Dynasty princess actually went to study medicine! Are you really trying to drive me to my death?!"

"Pa-ta-!"

A sudden sound rang out: the sound of a teacup shattering on the floor.

Everyone present was so frightened that their faces turned pale and they trembled uncontrollably.

Princess Chang Le, in particular, was seeing Li Er so angry for the first time.

Even though she was the most favored of all Li Shimin's daughters, she was still frightened by Li Er's outburst. Not to mention the other princesses, who were all so frightened that they clung to their mothers and sobbed with tears in their eyes.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger."

Empress Zhangsun glanced at Li Lizhi and the others, and while advising Li Er, she sighed helplessly, "This matter is related to Chengqian. Why don't we call him here and ask him what exactly happened so that we can make a decision?"

"Hmph! It's that unfilial son again! He's never done a good thing! He probably doesn't want to get married so early and is deliberately deceiving Lizhi and the others."

"No! Our Crown Prince didn't lie to us!"

Before Li Shimin could finish speaking, Li Lizhi stubbornly interrupted him: "I think what my elder brother, the Crown Prince, said makes sense. Why is the rate of difficult childbirth in our Tang Dynasty so high? It's because the women of our Tang Dynasty marry too early, before their bodies are fully developed!"

"Girls who are thirteen or fourteen years old, to put it bluntly, are children who haven't grown up yet. Giving birth at this age greatly affects their physical development!"

"Furthermore, unlike women in the palace or noblewomen, women in ordinary households do not consume enough nutrition. In addition, they also need to absorb nutrients themselves, so how can they give birth to healthy children? As a result, many of them die young!"

"That's why my elder brother, the Crown Prince, advocates for late marriage and late childbirth. And we studied medicine because my elder brother said there was a surgery that could reduce the risk of difficult childbirth. We were thinking about the future of the Tang Dynasty. I really don't know what we did wrong!"

Li Lizhi finished speaking in one breath, her face flushed and she was out of breath.

Hearing her words, the other princesses also perked up and broke free from their mothers' arms, as if silently supporting Li Lizhi.

Empress Zhangsun and the other concubines wore very complicated expressions upon hearing this.

The tradition of women marrying young did not begin in the Tang Dynasty. As early as the pre-Qin period, it was perfectly normal for women to marry at the age of thirteen or fourteen.

Women over twenty are considered past their prime and unlikely to get married.

Married women most look forward to giving birth to a child for their husbands' families as soon as possible.

Little did they know that it was precisely this kind of thinking that made pregnancy a major problem.

Even if you get pregnant, the chances of miscarriage are very high.

Fortunately, the child was born, but the woman's health also suffered.

This is also one of the reasons why most women in ancient times died in their thirties or forties.

"Lizhi, you just said that Chengqian has a medical technique that can reduce the risk of difficult childbirth?" Empress Zhangsun glanced at Li Shimin and spoke first.

Li Lizhi nodded and said, "Yes, Mother, it is a completely new medical technique, very bold, and you could even say terrifying. But if one masters this technique, it can indeed reduce the risk of difficult childbirth. Moreover, not only do I think what my elder brother, the Crown Prince, said makes sense, but even Imperial Physician Zhen agrees with this medical technique."

"It is said that the Crown Prince even discussed with Physician Zhen about establishing a medical college in order to promote these medical skills."

"Oh?"

Empress Zhangsun raised an eyebrow: "You mean Imperial Physician Zhen was also involved?"

"Not only Physician Zhen, but also his friends, as well as their students and grand-students, will come to Chang'an to hold a free clinic. Those whose medical skills are up to standard will be arranged to study new medical techniques at the medical academy!"

Li Lizhi patiently explained, then glanced at the other sisters and said, "Yu Zhang and I also want to enter medical school to learn new medical techniques!"

"Yes, Mother, we have all received new medical books from our elder brother, the Crown Prince. They contain a lot of medical knowledge, and we are very interested in them."

Upon hearing this, Princess Yuzhang also stepped forward: "For example, the nutritional problem that Chang Le mentioned. Although the people of the Tang Dynasty have survived natural disasters and famines, not everyone can eat their fill. This leads to women and children competing for the food they eat, which ultimately makes it easy for children to miscarry."

"According to the Crown Prince's medical book, the best age to get married is after the age of eighteen."

"But even so, you don't need to study medicine, do you?"

Consort Yang, who had been silent all along, couldn't help but interject.

But Princess Xiangcheng in front of her replied, "Under normal circumstances, we don't need to go to medical school to study medicine, but we asked our elder brother, the Crown Prince, and Physician Zhen, and found that there are far too few female doctors in our Great Tang Dynasty."

"Although doctors are not divided into men and women, in the existing moral concept, it is still very inconvenient for a male doctor to treat women's illnesses. Therefore, we go to study medicine mainly to take the lead and let more women study medicine and teach them new medical skills."

“Yes, Mother! I heard that there are female physicians and guards in the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace. They can all join the army and learn medicine, so why can’t we?” A little princess looked back at her mother and said.

Seeing this, Li Shimin was still somewhat displeased, but his anger had clearly subsided considerably.

But then he said in a deep voice, "So what exactly is this medical technique you're talking about that reduces the risk of difficult childbirth?"

"this."

Upon hearing this, all the princesses couldn't help but turn their gazes to Li Lizhi.

But Li Lizhi said somewhat hesitantly, "To be honest, Father, it was a cesarean section."

C-section?

Li Shimin was slightly taken aback, and a hint of fear flashed in his eyes: "Could it be that we're going to cut open the pregnant woman's stomach and take the child out?"

"what?"

Upon hearing this, the concubines were startled, wondering what kind of evil magic this was!

It's important to understand that this isn't just stabbing someone or making a cut; it involves cutting open a person's stomach and taking out the baby.

Isn't this just too cruel and bloody?
Would her husband agree?

Seemingly seeing through the concubines' thoughts, Li Lizhi quickly explained, "A cesarean section is just a way to reduce the risk of difficult labor. Not every pregnant woman needs a cesarean section. Moreover, if the baby is taken out by cutting open the abdomen, there is no danger. At most, it will only leave a scar on the abdomen!"

"This is better than dying in childbirth, isn't it?"

"Lizhi, are you telling the truth? No one will die if you cut open their stomach?"

Empress Zhangsun still asked with some disbelief.

"Oh, Mother! If you don't believe me, don't you believe my elder brother? He's the Crown Prince, would he use his reputation to deceive the world?!" Li Lizhi said anxiously.

Empress Zhangsun and Li Shimin exchanged a glance and fell silent.

After a moment, a report came from outside the door: "Your Majesty, Physician Sun has arrived in Chang'an!"

"Dr. Sun?"

Li Shimin was slightly taken aback, and couldn't help but ask, "You mean Sun Simiao?"

"Yes, Your Majesty! He is currently at the Crown Prince's residence, discussing medical matters with the Crown Prince alongside Imperial Physician Zhen!" "Wow!"

Upon hearing this, Li Lizhi couldn't help but exclaim, "Even the Divine Doctor Sun is going to join the medical school? That's wonderful!"

Upon hearing Li Lizhi's exclamation, everyone present, including Li Shimin, couldn't help but look at each other in bewilderment.

Although the imperial physicians in the palace were not bad, Sun Simiao was most skilled in gynecology and pediatrics.

Furthermore, such a miraculous doctor would have long been famous throughout the world.

Even Emperor Taizong of Tang (Li Shimin) invited Sun Simiao to take up an important position in the palace more than once, but Sun Simiao politely declined.

Now that Sun Simiao, who is rarely seen, has suddenly appeared in Chang'an, it is hard not to suspect that he may be related to the medical school established by Li Chengqian.

Empress Zhangsun then smiled and said, "Your Majesty, although I know I shouldn't say this, I am also a woman and know how difficult it is to give birth. If the medical academy could really train a group of female doctors to solve difficult childbirth problems, wouldn't that be a good thing?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin fell silent.

The other concubines echoed this sentiment.

"Yes, Your Majesty, if our Great Tang can reduce the number of women who die in childbirth, it will only benefit the Great Tang, and not harm it!"

"Your Majesty, I also agree with letting Xiangcheng and the others study medicine. It would be a way to share the burden for the Tang Dynasty and for Your Majesty!"

"Hehe, who says women are inferior to men? Since ancient times, women have been just as capable as men. Mulan joined the army in place of her father, and my son is sharing His Majesty's burdens, allowing the women of the Tang Dynasty to have more children. Isn't that a good thing?"

"This"

Li Shimin hesitated for a moment, looked at the concubines, then at Empress Zhangsun, and finally fixed his gaze on Li Lizhi, frowning as he asked, "Have you all thought this through?"

"I've thought it through, Father!"

Li Lizhi said without hesitation, "We want to be the best female doctors in the Tang Dynasty!"

“Yes! We will never bring shame to Father Emperor!” Princess Yuzhang nodded solemnly.

"Father, don't worry, I didn't cry when I got stitches, so I definitely won't cry when I study medicine!"

"hehe."

Li Shimin couldn't help but laugh when he heard what Princess Baling said.

In fact, he had seen Princess Baling's wounds, which truly broadened his horizons.

If this suturing technique were applied to the battlefield, soldiers would be able to fight quickly; it is truly a remarkable medical skill.

But Li Shimin immediately said, "Good! Since my daughters are so concerned about the country, I will not stop you. You should all study hard for me!"

"Yes! Father!"

Upon hearing this, the princesses were overjoyed and immediately bowed to Li Shimin.

Li Lizhi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Although the new medical technique was indeed to her liking, it was definitely a wise move to extend her wedding by studying medicine.

Two months after Li Shimin allowed Li Lizhi and the others to study medicine, the first medical college established in the name of the royal family in the Tang Dynasty was officially founded.

Many high-ranking officials, doctors from all over the country, and many imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy came to visit him.

The most eye-catching sights were the little princesses dressed in matching nurse uniforms.

Although they all had a passion for medicine, Li Chengqian still made them start as nurses so that they could better understand their patients.

After all, they all had no prior medical background. If they relied on their princess status to act differently, they wouldn't be able to learn medicine well.

Besides them, the most unexpected one was Sun Simiao, who was appointed by Li Chengqian as the vice president of the Royal Medical College, while Zhen Liyan served as the president of the medical college.

However, since Zhen Liyan also had to manage the Imperial Medical Academy, his position as the dean was basically a nominal one.

In other words, the vice president of the Royal College of Physicians is actually the person in charge of the college.

However, Li Chengqian still doesn't understand why Sun Simiao agreed so readily.

Although Zhen Liyan was involved in the introduction, Sun Simiao's quick agreement was indeed beyond Li Chengqian's expectations.

After all, Sun Simiao was a legendary physician who had refused Li Er's request several times.

"Dr. Sun, I really didn't expect you to come and preside over the medical school. Thanks to you, the medical school was able to be established smoothly this time!" Li Chengqian said with emotion as he looked at the crowd below.

But then Sun Simiao, who was beside him, said very frankly, "Since I have already promised the Crown Prince, I will not hide anything. I was attracted here by Physician Zhen's 'resurrection' technique!"

"Oh?"

Li Chengqian raised an eyebrow: "So, Doctor Sun's purpose is not so simple?"

"As for my purpose, it certainly wasn't pure. But to be able to discuss those novel medical techniques with the Crown Prince is truly the greatest honor of my life!"

As he spoke, Sun Simiao looked at the doctors who had signed up and smiled, "To be honest, Your Highness, I have been practicing medicine among the common people for decades and have long known that my abilities are limited and I cannot cure all the patients in the world. If it weren't for Your Highness's vigorous promotion of medicine and even the establishment of a special imperial examination for medicine, I probably would never have seen such a grand occasion in my life!"

"so."

At this point, Sun Simiao bowed deeply to Li Chengqian and said, "On behalf of all physicians in the world, I express my gratitude to Your Highness!"

"Hehe, it is said that doctors have the heart of parents. It seems that all good doctors are sincere people who care about the world."

Li Chengqian smiled, then said with a half-smile, "I won't hide it from you, Physician Sun, Physician Zhen has actually expressed his gratitude to me on behalf of all the physicians in the world."

"Uh"

Sun Simiao's lips twitched, then he chuckled: "I have known Physician Zhen for decades and I know his character well. Your Highness, you have not made a mistake in choosing him."

"Yes, I didn't choose the wrong people, and they didn't recommend the wrong people either, but compared to them, you have a heavier burden."

"From now on, unless it's something extremely important, I will not interfere with the management of the medical school. You will be in full charge!"

"what?"

Sun Simiao was surprised, thinking to himself that he had only met him twice, so how could he trust him so much?

But then Li Chengqian said earnestly, "Although I have provided you with teaching materials for new medical techniques, I am not skilled in medicine myself. Therefore, you are responsible for how medical schools should train doctors, what kind of doctors are qualified, and even the medical examinations."

"This"

Sun Simiao was stunned again, seemingly not expecting Li Chengqian to completely relinquish control of the medical school.

At that moment, he couldn't help but feel impressed by this legendary prince.

At first, he was indeed attracted by the so-called 'resurrection' technique.

Because this kind of 'medical skill' is simply too incredible.

Even though he didn't believe in such medical skills at all, he still accepted Physician Zhen's invitation and came to Chang'an.

His decision to accept Li Chengqian's offer to serve as the vice dean of the medical school was partly driven by this consideration.

But now, after hearing Li Chengqian's heartfelt words, he realized that he and Zhen Liyan might have been deceived by Li Chengqian.

The so-called "resurrection" probably doesn't exist at all.

However, just as he was feeling troubled, Li Chengqian said calmly, "Since Doctor Sun is so frank, I will not hide it from you either. I do have the art of 'bringing the dead back to life,' but even if I teach it to you, you will not be able to bring people back to life."

"what?"

Sun Simiao looked bewildered, then couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Why is that?"

"Because you don't yet have the mindset of being the first to worry about the world's troubles and the last to enjoy its pleasures. Without such a mindset, do you think you can defy fate and change your destiny with such a heaven-defying technique?"

"I"

Upon hearing this, Sun Simiao was speechless.

He was clearly stunned by Li Chengqian's words.

But Li Chengqian didn't say much, and left the medical school on his own.

Sometimes, when faced with such a sincere person, sincerity is the only way to win.

Li Chengqian was well-versed in this principle.

However, just as Li Chengqian was about to board the carriage and return to the Crown Prince's residence, a familiar figure immediately caught her attention.

Although this figure was much taller than the one from three years ago, Li Chengqian still recognized her at a glance.

"Wu Zetian!!"

Li Chengqian narrowed his eyes, and an overwhelming emotion suddenly rose within him.

(End of this chapter)