Da Ming: Father, step aside, I'll be the prime minister!

Chapter 126 Guarding against Yunxiu is more important than guarding against thieves
Daming Critical Care Research and Medical Development Center.

Inside the research center, a private ward was set up for Zhang Juzheng. The room was fully furnished, with not only a desk and a washroom, but also a bookshelf, which was very thoughtful.

Of course, the medical services in the ward are also very considerate.

Zhang Juzheng lay on a clean white sheet, with tubes connected to his hands and lower body. Every day, someone would come in to "torture" him.

Take a sharp-tipped, hollow, and slender instrument filled with an unknown liquid and strike it against his uninjured buttocks.

If Zhang Juzheng hadn't possessed an extremely strong will to live, and if he hadn't seen ordinary people in the clinic also suffering from this kind of "treatment," the Grand Secretary would certainly have preferred death to comply!

However, Zhang Juzheng was surprised to find that this strange treatment method was surprisingly effective.

Just three days later, after the research center's meticulous dietary planning and various treatments, I felt that my body had indeed improved a lot.

Especially in the affected area of ​​the anus, the annoying swelling and pain gradually disappeared.

Now he was truly relieved. He had been worried that Zhang Yunxiu might kill his father for his "grand ambitions."

Looking back now, Zhang Yunxiu was indeed a bit crazy, but he still had some bottom line.

After having some free time, Zhang Juzheng became much more rational and re-examined his relationship with his son.

People always have to look forward. As long as that brat Zhang Yunxiu stops thinking about "overthrowing the emperor," he will still be his own prodigy.

In recent days, Zhang Juzheng has almost completely lost contact with the outside world.

The various memorials that used to cause him headaches and the arrangements he made in the court no longer seem to matter much.

If you don't take good care of your own health, the emperor might die. Why bother with those court disputes and affairs right now?
Zhang Juzheng was not one to stay idle. Today, feeling much better, he secretly removed the tubes from his body and got up from his sickbed.

He went to the window, pulled back the curtains, and felt the sunlight streaming in, which instantly lifted his spirits.

Looking down from the second-floor window, one can see doctors bustling about inside the clinic, as well as residents of the quarantine area wandering around in their hospital gowns.

His face showed both joy and a strange expression. Zhang Juzheng could never have imagined such a strange sight, yet it had actually happened and even been quite effective.

Thinking of this, Zhang Juzheng felt a sense of powerlessness. He turned to look at the bookshelf, took down a copy of "Records of the Grand Historian", and habitually tried to find the answer in it.

But before he could turn a few pages, he heard a knock on the door.

"Your Excellency, I've come to administer your medicine for today."

Zhang Juzheng was startled and quickly put the book back on the shelf. He then nimbly lay back down on the sickbed, feigning pain and weakness, clearly very familiar with this tactic.

The door was slowly pushed open, and a woman dressed in pure white, carrying a plate, carefully walked in.

Her face was dark, but her eyes shone brightly; she was Zhang Lanying, a former refugee from outside the city.

A few days ago, with the special approval of Chairman Zhang Yunxiu, Zhang Lanying was specially listed as a key training target for the development of medicine at Renmin Medical Hall.

Speaking of which, Renmin Medical Clinic has developed rapidly in the past few months, but in the process of treating people, it is inevitable that a problem will be encountered.

That is, for more sensitive diseases such as dysentery, and for some female patients, it is inconvenient that the clinic is full of male doctors.

Throughout history, there have been female doctors, such as Yi Shuo in the Western Han Dynasty, Bao Gu in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, and Tan Yunxian in the Jiajing period. They can all be said to be doctors in history who were no less capable than men.

But finding a few people on short notice is extremely difficult.

Women from wealthy and powerful families are literate and skilled in writing, but they are strictly disciplined at home and taught to be good wives and mothers. They would never be allowed to become female doctors.

Women from ordinary families didn't have so many restrictions, but most of them were illiterate.

Inspired by the power of "role models," Zhang Yunxiu made a special exception and recruited Zhang Lanying into Renmin Medical Clinic.

This lady is also very capable. After a period of training, she is already on par with some ordinary medical assistants in the Imperial Hospital, and even more meticulous.

As one of the few female doctors in the clinic, Zhang Lanying was tasked with caring for and observing Zhang Juzheng's condition.

As she finished speaking, Zhang Lanying walked to the bedside. She immediately noticed the syringes and IV drips scattered on the floor and frowned.

Having treated Zhang Juzheng these past few days, she had long since lost her aura of the Grand Secretary's authority. With Chairman Zhang Yunxiu backing her up, she naturally dared to teach him a lesson.

"Sir, I've told you so many times, you absolutely must not pull out this tube yourself."

But before he could finish speaking, he heard Zhang Juzheng groaning on the bed.

"Doctor Zhang, I did not remove it myself; it simply fell off accidentally while I was asleep. It was truly, truly..."

The title "Medical Assistant" used to refer to a junior official in the Imperial Medical Academy, who was mainly responsible for assisting the imperial physicians in diagnosis and treatment. Nowadays, in medical clinics, ordinary medical officers like Zhang Lanying are called "Medical Assistants."

Seeing Zhang Juzheng in great pain, Zhang Lanying panicked and quickly stepped forward to check his temperature, saying with concern.

"Sir, are you feeling unwell? If not, I'll go find the Chairman and have him take another look at you?"

In Zhang Lanying's mind, even the most skilled doctors in the clinic, Luo Xian and Yang Jishi, couldn't compare to Chairman Zhang Yunxiu. The latter was the mentor of all the doctors in the clinic!

Upon hearing Zhang Yunxiu's name, Zhang Juzheng's previously pained expression vanished instantly. He opened his eyes, waved his hand, and said...

"That won't be necessary. I'm already feeling much better. There are many things to do at this clinic, so there's no need to trouble Shiyuan."

"What are you saying, sir?"

Seeing that the other person was alright, Zhang Lanying smiled and habitually changed the syringe in his hand while saying with a smile.

“The old man is like a father, and Chairman Zhang is like a son. It is only natural for a son to take care of his father.”

As he spoke, the needle was swiftly inserted into a vein on the back of Zhang Juzheng's hand.

Zhang Juzheng gritted his teeth in pain, but he was already used to it. He said indignantly, "He didn't treat me like a father at all. He's a complete rebellious son."

"My lord, I'm sorry to trouble you."

Zhang Lanying, a country woman, doesn't usually have many taboos, but when it comes to some sensitive areas, she still feels a little embarrassed.

Zhang Juzheng immediately understood and obediently stuck out his buttocks, saying something like, "That Zhang Shiyuan has been disobedient since he was a child. You must remember this in the future. You should discipline children early, otherwise they will go astray and it will be difficult to teach them when they grow up!"

The catheter was reinserted, and he received another injection in his buttocks. Zhang Juzheng lay on the bed, his face showing utter despair.

It felt like I was unclean and had been defiled.

Before leaving, Zhang Lanying cleaned and tidied the house again before reminding everyone.

"Please remember, sir, that you should not get too angry lately. You need to cultivate your mind so that your condition can gradually improve."

"I understand, thank you for the reminder, female physician."

Zhang Juzheng sighed, but he was still kind to Zhang Lanying.

As the other person was leaving, he gave them some instructions.

"Please trouble the female physician to summon You Qi. I have something to discuss with him."

In Zhang Juzheng's clinic, besides being cared for by some female relatives, You Qihui often stayed by his side.

Knowing that Zhang Juzheng's condition had recently improved, You Qi's face was beaming with joy. After entering the ward, he quickly bowed and said...

"I congratulate you on your excellent health, sir. You will surely be blessed with great fortune from now on."

Zhang Juzheng lay on his side on the bed, looked up and sized up You Qi, and then exhaled and said.

"Forget the pleasantries, tell me what's been happening in court these past few days."

He ultimately couldn't let go of matters of state.

"Yes."

As Zhang Juzheng's long-term "secretary," You Qi naturally had some understanding of the priorities of court affairs.

He briefly described the recent situation and then continued speaking.

"After the master entered the clinic, the fifth young master informed Grand Secretary Shen in your name that he would temporarily take over the handling of all matters."

Zhang Juzheng nodded and said, "This is only right."

"His Majesty has also issued an edict, bestowing upon the Fifth Young Master the official title of Assistant Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, which has likely sparked considerable discussion among the court officials."

Zhang Juzheng frowned, but said nothing.

After the court discussions a few days ago, the "anti-Zhang" faction has clearly quieted down considerably, and nothing particularly noteworthy has happened in the court.

The emperor was willing to approve memorials in red ink, but it was far less frequent than during Zhang Juzheng's time. Fortunately, Shen Shixing was there to handle everything, and the court was able to function normally.

Listening to You Qi's description, even though the situation seemed quite good, Zhang Juzheng, lying on the bed, still had a furrowed brow and said in a deep voice.

"Find the things I asked you to investigate before, and all the items you kept, and hand them over to that kid Zhang Shiyuan at the right time."

You Qi's expression froze for a moment, and he couldn't help but feel excited. Sure enough, it was still the same Zhang Juzheng as before. The master had returned!
He quickly cupped his hands and said, "Don't worry, sir, I will make the arrangements properly."

"And another thing," Zhang Juzheng continued meaningfully, "you also need to keep a close eye on that brat Zhang Shiyuan. You must inform me of everything he does at all times."

"???" You Qi was a little confused again. Zhang Juzheng was both trusting and suspicious. What was he up to?
Zhang Juzheng continued in a deep voice, "Whether he met with His Majesty, went to the military camp, especially if he mobilized the Embroidered Uniform Guard, or researched any firearms, he must inform me."

You Qi was startled and couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.

Why is the master so wary of the Fifth Young Master, as if he were guarding against a treacherous rebellious minister?
　The next few chapters will be a short introduction; we'll get right to the main topic soon, so please be patient, everyone.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)