Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 295, Section 294: Medical Ambition
Zhangtai Palace.

After using the bark paper for a few days, Ji Heng's stiffness in his shoulders and neck was greatly relieved. Now, when he opens the bamboo slips again, he feels a little inconvenient.

Yes, the Imperial Household Department has reported that smoother and finer paper has been produced, and paper and pens should be bestowed upon these ministers at a later date.

Now that it's winter, there are fewer things to do in various places than during the farming season, so when Zhou Ju came to report on the matters of Ganquan Palace, he listened quietly.

"...The Zhao family members kept mentioning the State of Chu in every word they spoke. The guards of Ganquan Palace were disgusted that they did not appreciate the King's kindness. They struck them with three sticks, and the Zhao family members were already dead."

Ji Heng was not unaware of the affairs of the inner palace. In Qin law, caning was already considered a light punishment, especially three strokes of the cane that could kill someone.

One blow shattered his bones.

The skin and flesh of the two sticks are divided.

The tendons and veins are severed by three strokes of the cane.

Three blows of the cane, and a person's upper and lower body would most likely be connected only by a thin layer of skin, such a swift and rapid execution—

"It is evident that the Queen's teachings have been effective, and Lady Chu has indeed made great progress."

Unfortunately, he still couldn't escape his kind heart.

As for the Zhao family... the State of Chu has been destroyed for a long time. Since they miss their former country and their former ruler, why don't they die for their ancestors and the Chu royal family?

"promise."

Zhou Ju bowed in agreement. Seeing that Ji Heng was in a good mood, he boldly laughed and said, "I don't know when the Queen will return. I need to deal with this matter as soon as possible, lest the Queen find it unbearable to hear."

Ji Heng paused writing, then put it down again, before frowning slightly: "Although the Queen is kind, she is very measured. Even if she knew, she would only regret the loss of manpower—"

It is true.

She lamented daily that Qin was short of manpower and couldn't find anyone to do anything. Yet, she couldn't bear to conscript more laborers.

In that case——

"The main branch of the Zhao family consists of able-bodied men. What right did the former King of Chu have to demand that the people of Qin be buried alive with him? Take them all to serve in the army."

Building bridges and roads, mining and extracting asbestos—none of these activities are truly life-threatening.

After speaking, he frowned again: "Has there been any report from Guanzhong? When will the Queen return to the palace?"

Zhou Ju bowed slightly: "The Queen's reputation for recruiting talents has spread, and powerful families in Guanzhong are vying to offer up wealth, grain, and land. I'm afraid it will be difficult to return anytime soon."

Ji Heng lowered his long eyes, and after a moment picked up his brush again and opened the bamboo slips once more.

……

Inside Ganquan Palace.

When Madam Chu learned that the clan elder had died, she was stunned for a long time.

Now everyone knows that only family can provide them with the greatest source of confidence.

She is no exception.

My father, though from a collateral branch of the Zhao family and a high-ranking official in the Chu state, still had a main family within his clan to curry favor with. This was simply because the six states were fragmented, power changed hands too quickly, and subjects fled too rapidly.
Only families whose legacy endures are truly eternal.

But now, it turns out that executing the clan elder who had always been pointing fingers at them was so simple.

"Madam..." the maid beside her said timidly, "If the patriarch holds us accountable for executing the clan elder, what should we do?"

He was also somewhat anxious: "How could Madam be so bold..."

She too had been raised according to the Zhao family's rules, and Madam Chu didn't blame her, simply because she herself was asking herself the same question—

Yes.

How dare you?

But as she looked at the room filled with forms, applications, drawings, and large swaths of scribbles on opera lyrics and sheet music...

"That's probably true. I'm very important now, and the Queen probably can't do without me."

It wasn't an exaggeration on her part, but rather that finding someone literate, knowledgeable of Qin law, skilled in singing and dancing, of high enough status to suppress those handsome or beautiful men and women was not something that could be done casually.

Without her, all the work at the table would have to be started from scratch. How could the Queen bear to part with her?

Since it is oneself who cannot be abandoned, then the only one who can be abandoned is the clan elder.

As for the head of the family holding him accountable in the future.

In fact, Madam Chu is quite fearful now.

But after a period of anxiety and fear, just as a maid came to ask her how to decide on a certain matter, she suddenly calmed down.

“If the head of the family wants to hold someone accountable, he should first storm into Xianyang Palace himself.”

In any case, she would never agree to the head of the family entering the palace.

With that said, the Queen's Ganquan Palace felt exceptionally safe.

But there is one more thing now...

Madam Chu gritted her teeth: "Go and invite Qin Ba Zi. Tell him that I wish to use my name to summon two physicians to meet with my father."

……

Lady Chu was of high status, and Qin Ba Zi quickly came to see her.

She now manages palace affairs, and due to the adjustment of responsibilities between superiors and subordinates, as well as the new personnel arrangements given by the Queen, she is currently extremely busy.

Madam Zheng was better off; she was simple-minded and only needed to pray and play happily every day, with basically no other demands.

Madam Chu was different; even the costumes and eyebrows of her male and female servants had to be adjusted constantly, and yet she held a high position…

To be honest, Qin Bazi no longer possesses the refined and serene demeanor of a chrysanthemum, bamboo, or pine.

She's so busy she doesn't even have time to spend with Princess Chan. A few kisses, hugs, and cuddles every morning and evening are the limit, and now she's being summoned by Madam Chu...

So annoying!
Despite this, standing below the steps, she still kept her eyes lowered, her demeanor calm yet... somewhat weathered.

It is evident that after being entrusted with such an important task, everyone felt immense pressure due to the weight of the responsibility.

Now Lady Chu has issued another medical decree...

Qin Bazi hesitated, "The Imperial Medical Academy is of great importance. Madam wants to transfer people to take care of your father. In principle, this matter should be reported to the Imperial Physician and the Prefect of Zhou..."

This journey can only proceed with the king's approval.

Of course, Madam Chu knew.

However, the elders had been insisting on referring to the State of Chu, so the king couldn't possibly be unaware of this, and is probably still furious...

She didn't dare.

Qin Bazi's eyes widened as well.

She usually had a quiet and reserved demeanor with her eyes downcast, but now that she had widened her eyes, it became apparent that the corners of her eyes were somewhat round.

But Madam Chu didn't dare. Did she really dare?!

The two looked at each other and hesitated for a long time.

Finally, Qin Bazi sighed, "If only the Queen were here."

If the Queen were here, given her personality, she would certainly have agreed immediately.

Now that the enemy is far away in Guanzhong, it is difficult for them to send messages through their harems using warships.

How can it be so efficient to go back and forth like that?

After the two hesitated for a moment, Qin Bazi tentatively probed:
"I've heard that the prince also has a physician personally appointed by the queen..."

Yiming now serves Prince Chenghu, communicating with the physician beside Princess Xinming to treat their health, while also carefully studying the various medical materials provided by the Queen...

As someone close to the Queen, her words might carry more weight with the Prefect of Zhou than they do.

otherwise……

Madam Chu thought with a heavy heart: Otherwise, if Magistrate Zhou had thought this matter was unimportant and delayed it for a few days, her father's life might have been lost.

Now that she has an idea, she is overjoyed:

"Go and invite them quickly!"

When Yi Ming heard about this, he couldn't help but find it amusing.

The Queen was not present, and the ladies only requested the dispatch of two physicians, which was then handled tactfully by the ladies.

This back-and-forth trip has already wasted two or three hours. If he were truly on the verge of death, there would be no need for treatment now.

Before they were made queen, they did things...

Oh.

Yi Ming then realized—before the Queen, Lady Chu was merely a concubine in the palace who received little favor. She was extremely dependent on her family.

If such a thing were to happen, one would naturally plead with the clan elders or the head of the family, or perhaps seek out a skilled physician from among the common people...

Unlike now, they actually dare to think about medical orders.

but……

She glanced at the pile of papers she had left before committing the crime, hesitated for a moment, and then simply packed up her things and went back to Ganquan Palace to report.

She agreed to ask Madam Chu for a favor.

……

"What did you say?"

Zhou Ju stared at Yi Ming in front of him and felt that this little medical officer had become arrogant and ignorant after being promoted.

"Do you know that you have this opportunity and status entirely because of the Queen's trust? And now you're making this decision, what will become of you in the future..."

Zhou Ju sighed, and seeing that the other party remained resolute, even his tone became sincere:
"You need to understand that the advantages and influence you gain from working for the Queen are completely different from those you would gain from being sent to a distant place."

In the palace, by the Queen's side, she had an inexhaustible supply of paper and pens, and medicinal herbs could be delivered by the Imperial Hospital with just a word.

If you wish to discuss something with your colleagues, you can go directly there.

Even princes and princesses would take her medical advice seriously.

But all of this has one prerequisite:
She was a servant to the Queen.

At this moment, the other party suddenly proposed to be transferred to another post, not only to treat Lady Chu's father's illness.

From now on, we will have to leave Xianyang Palace...

This is utterly absurd!
……

"I know."

Yi Ming, however, remained steadfast.

"My family has been physicians for generations."

"Our ancestor Yi He created the theory of the Six Qi, which is still studied by doctors everywhere. As for me, my talent for internal regulation is not as good as my sisters and nieces, and my skill in treating diseases steadily is not as good as my brother's."

"Thanks to the Queen's trust, she has given me various medical classics and supreme principles. However, the theories on typhoid fever and other miscellaneous diseases must be put into practice one by one to be truly convinced."

However, even though she personally diagnosed the palace servants in Xianyang Palace, she could not obtain the same dangerous and diverse symptoms described in the ancient books.

And these medicinal herbs from all directions...

If we don't follow the methods in the classics to create and put them into practice, how can we know the results?

Those with great talent can shut themselves in and study diligently, and thus write countless books.

But many more people must travel thousands of miles to fill the gaps in their knowledge of books.

She has made her decision.

Take a deep breath, and then bow deeply to Zhou Ju once more:

“Prefect Zhou, my medical skills alone are not enough.”

The Queen presented the Kunlun Secret Manual, which contained information on various serious illnesses never before heard of. However, there was one disease that the people of Qin were very familiar with—malaria.

"Just a cup of artemisia can save a life..."

This is malaria!
Zhou Ju also felt his hair stand on end, and remained stunned for a long time, speechless.

The natural disasters and man-made calamities that impoverished families face are often beyond their control, regardless of human life.

When infectious diseases strike, lives are lost in a village, a county, or even half a city, with little chance of survival.

Even worse, to prevent the spread of serious diseases, people were thrown into pits and buried alive before they died.

Even noble ladies in the palace often couldn't find out why they contracted the disease and then died young.

If it were other difficult and complicated diseases, Zhou Jushang could still consider the future of medicine, but when she mentioned malaria...

The prefect also fell into a deep silence.

After a long silence, he finally sighed:
“You have great ambitions, and I will report this to the King. However, you are currently a servant of the Queen, and any transfer requires the Queen’s consent.”

"You can report this matter yourself."

After a pause, he said again:

"I'll agree to Madam Chu's request."

……

Upon returning to Zhangtai Palace, Zhou Ju relayed Yi Ming's words in detail.

Ji Heng remained noncommittal, only saying calmly, "She does have ambition."

Strangely enough, although Yi Ming humbly claimed to lack talent, in reality, those who truly lack talent would never be sent to Xianyang Palace.

She was exceptionally gifted from a young age, possessing a remarkable memory. After entering the Imperial Hospital, her calm, meticulous, and skillful treatment of patients led to her being transferred to Fang Palace to serve him.

Over the years, I had never heard of her having such lofty ambitions.

Yet, after only a few months away from the Queen, he had already developed such a fervent desire for enlightenment…

"Since she is someone close to the Queen, let the Queen decide."

If he were to intervene, such a talented person would certainly be serving by the Queen's side, ensuring her safety and health for greater peace of mind.

But before that, the other party wanted to take care of Madam Chu's father...

The insignificant Zhao family.

He didn't comment, but Zhou Ju understood, and then sent someone to relay the message:
"We don't have time to deploy warships, but we can requisition fast boats from the civilian population to send messages. A day is enough for a round trip."

The premise is that the Queen also has the time to consider this matter.

Things have come full circle and returned to where they started.

Lady Chu sat in the palace for a long time, then sadly shed tears again.

If the king doesn't explicitly say whether it's allowed or not, then it's not allowed. The Zhao family, a remnant of the Chu state, is simply not something he takes seriously.

Not killing is simply because I'm too lazy to kill.

All those schemes and plots they had made over the years, and the two young ladies who still remained in Xianyang Palace...

It turns out that her lack of favor was not only her own fault, but also because the king would never allow anyone in the harem to gain favor.

She wiped away her tears and then burst out laughing.

If someone from the Zhao clan were to come and see this, they would surely find it hard to believe that the woman before them, whose smile was as beautiful as spring flowers and morning dew, was actually the delicate and frail Lady Chu, who was like a willow swaying in the spring breeze.

The maid was also stunned.

After a while, she belatedly realized what was happening and hurriedly handed over the handkerchief:

"Even if the civilian fast ship sends a reply, it won't arrive at Ganquan Palace until tomorrow at the earliest. Why must you wait so long, Madam?"

"And those two young ladies that the lady left behind... Since the lady has a request of the Queen, these young ladies should not have been left behind..."

Madam Chu wiped away her tears.

The faded makeup was washed away, and the blemishes under her eyes seemed less glaring. And at this moment, her serene expression even bore a slight resemblance to that of the Queen.

"Being a poor girl, beauty is their sin."

"It's not their fault that the Zhao family recruited them. Now that I've had the elder beaten to death, if they're sent back, who knows what kind of vile people the patriarch will reward them with in his rage."

"Anyway, the palace has no shortage of beauties, nor is it short of places to house them."

"Go and send word that if the other party wants to curry favor with a noble person, I will send it to the Queen, who will then bestow it upon them. This will also help win people's hearts."

"If they don't want to, then they can join the palace's entertainment industry. Although traveling and performing is hard work, if the princes and nobles want to take them by force, they will be willing to do so. If they don't want to, the Queen will always protect them."

As for the delusional idea of ​​entering the Qin King's harem...

Lady Chu looked weary: "Then let them have their wild ideas."

When has the Qin state ever lacked beautiful young women? Why doesn't the king keep them by his side? Is it because they are not beautiful enough?

　Polygala tenuifolia is actually a traditional Chinese medicine...

　　Oh my! I love these beauties! Even at thirty, Lady Chu is still so adorable.

　　(End of this chapter)