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

Chapter 246 *The Essential Prescriptions for Obstetrics*

"If this method can be gradually implemented in various prefectures and counties, relying on the coal and cotton from Xishan, the imperial court can use the quantities from various places to control the market prices of grain and cloth throughout the country."

Through this futures trading, even a stabilization strategy can be implemented.

Zhang Xueyan's eyes gleamed as she pointed to the graph in front of her.

“In the past, gentry and powerful families used the method of hoarding goods and speculating on prices, all because of information blockage and manipulation of market prices.”

The imperial court wanted to suppress it, but had no way to do so.

Now that the futures market exists, merchants can learn about market conditions in various ports through the commercial supplements published in the Wanli Xinbao, and will naturally transport grain and goods to places with higher prices—this is the principle of 'goods flowing smoothly'.

"The invisible hand?" Zhang Juzheng immediately thought of this phrase.

"exactly."

Zhang Xueyan leaned forward slightly as she spoke.

"The imperial court can also use this opportunity to regulate prices at the 'macro' level. For example, if the price of cotton cloth futures rises, the weavers in the Jiangnan region can be instructed to increase the number of looms. If the price of grain futures rises, the grain transport from various regions will be accelerated to the north."
By leveraging this situation, the court can achieve twice the result with half the effort in implementing the price stabilization policy. Local grain trade will proceed smoothly, and the hardships of the people will be greatly alleviated.

He couldn't help but sigh.

"Your Excellency, your son's understanding of economics is truly profound!"

"It's just parroting what others have said."

Zhang Juzheng said this, but his eyes became increasingly profound.

With his intelligence, it's not hard for him to see the changes brought about by the "futures market".

This kind of change cannot be achieved overnight.

From the very beginning, newspapers circulated throughout the country, making the dissemination of information increasingly convenient.

The futures market, auctions, and newspaper advertisements are all designed to stimulate a surge in consumption and economic circulation, so that the gentry and wealthy households who hoard silver will obediently hand over their treasures.

Regardless of whether Zhang Xueyan's analysis is correct.

However, simply increasing the circulation of silver could greatly facilitate the implementation of the "Single Whip Law".

The more silver circulates, the lower its price will be, and purchasing power will be diluted. For wealthy gentry who hold large amounts of silver, this will naturally result in losses.

But for ordinary people, this can solve the problem of paying taxes in silver!
Nowadays, even Zhang Juzheng has to use economics to think about problems.

A series of interconnected economic theories provided a broader path for the "Wanli New Deal," seemingly poised to reshape the entire landscape of the Ming Dynasty.

"Don't slack off."

Zhang Juzheng exhaled a breath of stale air, suddenly sat up straight, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

"The Ministry of Revenue is to immediately establish a Futures Supervision Department. Regulations must be drafted for all contract formats, margin ratios, and price limits. Pay special attention to that rascal—"

He squinted his eyes tightly.

"If anyone is found to be using futures trading as a guise for speculation or manipulating market prices, they will be immediately arrested and prosecuted."

Zhang Xueyan solemnly cupped his hands and said, "This humble official understands, please rest assured, Your Excellency."

"Ah."

Zhang Juzheng's tone suddenly changed, and a strange expression appeared on his face as he spoke.

"Speaking of which, do you know what that rebellious son has been up to lately?"

Zhang Xueyan couldn't help but laugh. Why did this father of the other man keep asking others about his son's situation?
The relationship between these two, father and son, seems quite delicate.

He thought about it for a moment, but still provided the other party with some clues.

"I visited Magistrate Zhang in Xishan the day before yesterday, but he was not there. After inquiring, I found him at Renmin Medical Clinic, and thus learned about the futures market."

It seems that Magistrate Zhang has been spending most of his time at the clinic these past few days.

"A clinic?" Zhang Juzheng looked puzzled. "Isn't he going to the Western Hills to tinker with those wooden oxen and flowing horses that move on their own?"

Zhang Xueyan thought for a moment, then said seriously, "Prefect Zhang has recently been researching medical techniques for caring for women."

Zhang Juzheng frowned: "A woman?"

Zhang Xueyan nodded and lowered her voice, saying, "Jingyang Palace."

Jingyang Palace

Zhang Juzheng immediately understood and muttered the same words to himself.

He turned his gaze toward the palace, recalling the recent turmoil at Cining Palace, and said meaningfully.

"Imperial heir?"

He turned to look out the window at the leaves, which were already turning yellow.

"I wonder how many more twists and turns this will cause."

Consort Wang is pregnant.

As expected, it was Zhu Changluo, the fourteenth emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhang Yunxiu was shocked when he learned of this news.

After all, according to his memory, Consort Wang's pregnancy was a few months later, around November or December.

Just in time for the ten months of pregnancy, Emperor Guangzong of Ming was born in August of the tenth year of the Wanli reign.

Historical records are naturally from a long time ago, so it's normal for them to have some discrepancies.

However, Zhang Yunxiu believed that it was very likely his arrival that changed the original timeline.

Fortunately, the process was wrong, but the result was right in the end.

It was still Consort Wang who unexpectedly became pregnant with Emperor Wanli's child.

The succession to the throne is a matter of paramount importance, concerning not only the emperor but also the future of the entire Ming Dynasty.

In recent days, entrusted by the Cabinet and the Cining Palace, Renmin Medical Hall has established a special leading group to handle matters related to Jingyang Palace.

In particular, the students and professors of Daming Medical College have been focusing all their research efforts on advancing the level of "gynecology" recently.

When it comes to gynecology, Li Shizhen can be considered a leading figure. He traveled and practiced medicine for many years, often treating ordinary women.

His specialty was especially helping pregnant women to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.

And so, another strange sight appeared inside Renmin Medical Clinic.

This old man, Li Shizhen, along with a group of female doctors, spent his days exploring patients in the clinic, conducting research and summarizing their findings.

The female physician Zhang Lanying became Li Shizhen's capable assistant.

After examining a woman's condition, Li Shizhen spoke to Zhang Lanying beside him.

"This is a case of malposition of the fetus in the second trimester. I am not entirely sure, and I need to ask Director Yang and Magistrate Zhang to come for a consultation. This condition is extremely dangerous. If it is not handled properly, there is a risk of dystocia when it comes to delivery."

Zhang Lanying was startled and quickly bowed, saying, "I'll go right now."

In the study of Renmin Medical Hall, Zhang Yunxiu was engrossed in writing "Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Pieces of Gold for Obstetrics" for the female doctors.

Zhang Yunxiu was quite surprised when he saw Zhang Lanying.

The dark-skinned refugee from Shanxi had changed dramatically in just a few months. Although his skin was still rough like tree bark, his female official attire and the way he spoke made him look like a completely different person.

But he just can't change this impatient nature.

After listening to Zhang Lanying's description, Zhang Yunxiu smiled and said.

"No need to rush. A breech presentation is an easy problem to solve. Could you tidy up the manuscripts on this table for me? I'll be right back."

Zhang Lanying paused for a moment, then said with great confusion.

"Mr. Zhang, do I need to learn from him?"

Zhang Yunxiu stood up, handed the manuscript to the other party, patted the manuscript, and said.

"You don't need to go. Just look at what I've written and write it down."

After saying that, Zhang Yunxiu leisurely walked towards the door.

"Just write it down?"

Zhang Lanying was somewhat confused.

In the past, Mr. Zhang always emphasized that medical skills cannot be developed behind closed doors, and must be proven through clinical trials.

What exactly happened today?

Her curiosity was piqued, so she immediately opened Zhang Yunxiu's manuscript and went straight to the section on "malposition of the fetus".

The opening section covers how to determine if a fetus is in an abnormal position.

It seems that Mr. Zhang and Dr. Li had some communication, and what they said was largely the same.

However, when it comes to the section on how to treat it, the situation is completely different.

"Knee-chest position?"

For several months, Zhang Lanying spent her days in the clinic assisting doctors in treating patients, and her evenings studying various medical theories published by the clinic.

As a promising candidate for training by both Zhang Yunxiu and Li Shizhen, Zhang Lanying is clearly very promising. Even many doctors who come to the clinic for the first time seek her advice. She can be said to be the most deserving female physician in Renmin Medical Hall!
But when she saw this method, she was also a little confused.

I've never seen anything like this before. Is there really a reason for patients to treat themselves?
Simply unheard of!

Inside the ward area of ​​Renmin Medical Clinic, Li Shizhen and Yang Jishi were having a heated argument at the entrance.

Li Shizhen stated quite decisively: "Sun Simiao of the Tang Dynasty said in 'Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Pieces of Gold for Emergency Use', 'When a child is in the womb, it should be turned around regularly.' The Song Dynasty book 'Complete Collection of Effective Prescriptions for Women' also records, 'If the fetal position is incorrect, one can wait for it to straighten itself, or use manual methods to turn it.' Why can't this be done?"

However, Yang Jishi, the director of the clinic, had a different opinion.

"Absolutely wrong! Absolutely wrong!" he said, frowning deeply. "The method of changing the fetus is far too dangerous. If it is done rashly, not only will it fail to protect the mother and child, but it may also harm the fetus. If the force is applied too forcefully or to one side, it may damage the fetus, and the mother will also be in danger!"

Yang Jishi came from a family of doctors. His grandfather had served as a physician in the Imperial Medical Academy and had some insights into the treatment methods for the royal family.

For royal offspring, "stability" is always the top priority. Every prince and princess is precious and cannot afford to suffer any mishaps.

Methods like the transmigration ritual, which rely heavily on experience and luck, might be worth a try for ordinary people, but for members of the imperial family, they would have to think twice.

Li Shizhen was somewhat annoyed: "Yang Jizhou, is this your way of protecting yourself again? If you don't use the reverse method, and the baby is in breech position, causing a difficult labor, can you bear the responsibility? Is this how you treat a doctor?"

Yang Jishi retorted: "No, no! Childbirth is a major event, involving the lives of both mother and child. How can we not be careful and cautious!"

If the woman has not yet given birth, but the inversion method disturbs the fetus, it can lead to miscarriage.

That would be an even greater sin!

Li Shizhen retorted angrily, "The inversion method is in line with the principles of modern medicine and has been verified! Yang Jizhou, you are an outsider, so don't come here to join the fun!"

"The principles of modern medicine?"

Yang Jishi put his hands on his fat waist and said indignantly.

"Master's modern medicine emphasizes seeking truth from facts and relying on clinical trials. Have you ever done that?"

Li Shizhen gritted his teeth: "I have practiced medicine all over the country, and I have seen all kinds of diseases. This is the clinical trial!"

Yang Jishi shook his head and said with a proud look, "How ridiculous! Li Dongbi has never even become a disciple of my modern medicine school, how dare you speak of the principles of modern medicine?"

"You! You old scoundrel!"

Li Shizhen was furious. So this old man's apprenticeship to Zhang Yunxiu had become his reliance and talking point?
“You country bumpkin!” Yang Jishi retorted without backing down.

For a time, the "academic" Yang Jishi and the "street-smart" Li Shizhen argued fiercely and couldn't reach a conclusion.

One is conservative, the other is radical; neither can convince the other.

This caused the female officials following behind the two to look at each other in bewilderment, as they were mostly less experienced than Zhang Lanying.

Moreover, these two highly skilled physicians were vying for supremacy, and neither dared to provoke them.

Just as the situation became tense.

A familiar voice finally came through.

"Dongbi, Jizhou, why are you two arguing here?"

Yang Jishi blushed and almost got into a fight with Li Shizhen. When he saw Zhang Yunxiu arrive, he quickly stepped forward to "complain."

"Master, I really can't praise Mr. Dongbi's method."

“Severe cases require severe measures! Otherwise, the disease cannot be cured!” Li Shizhen, however, turned his head away with his hands behind his back.

“I heard everything you two were arguing about.”

Zhang Yunxiu, looking completely at ease, shook his head and said...

“But in my opinion, there’s no need to go through all that trouble. Using my ‘knee-chest position’ method will definitely solve the problem.”

"Knee-chest position?"

Li Shizhen paused for a moment, then suddenly turned his head and stared at the other person with great confusion.

Zhang Yunxiu smiled slightly and gave a brief explanation.

But before he could finish speaking, the two of them said in unison.

"No way!"

(End of this chapter)