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

Chapter 56 Zhang Yunxiu, a Master of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Zhang Yunxiu responded bluntly: "It's nothing more than blindly following the book, copying ancient texts without any flexibility!"
Illnesses vary from person to person. You, as physicians, have rashly applied folk remedies to His Majesty's body without careful consideration or practice. If anything goes wrong, can you bear the responsibility?

"You—" Yang Jishi, furious like a rotten, wrinkled peach, suddenly knelt before the Wanli Emperor and said, "Your Majesty! We have devoted ourselves to diagnosing Your Majesty's illness for many days, yet this brat is spouting nonsense here. It is truly..."

Before he could finish speaking, an embarrassed look appeared on Emperor Wanli's face, and he turned to Zhang Yunxiu and said.

"Shiyuan, I... I don't think my kidneys are weak, right?"

“That’s not the point,” Zhang Yunxiu changed the subject. “Does Your Majesty still believe these quacks? They’re nothing but bookworms who stick to old ways. They’re so absurd as to try to fool Your Majesty with earthworm excrement. How can such a perfunctory treatment possibly cure the disease?”

"Nonsense!" Yang Jishi exclaimed, nearly jumping up.

After a heated argument, the Wanli Emperor had no choice but to speak up and say something fair. He thought for a moment and then said...

"The imperial physicians have been treating my toothache for many years, and they have provided some relief, but despite taking so many herbal decoctions, there has never been a complete cure."

It's useful, but only to a very small extent.

Zhang Yunxiu sneered, "Does Your Majesty know that there are four things in this capital that you absolutely cannot trust?"

"Oh?" The Wanli Emperor raised an eyebrow. "There's such a saying? Tell me about it."

Zhang Yunxiu said, "It's nothing more than the Hanlin Academy's articles, the Arsenal's weapons, the Guanglu Temple's tea, and the Imperial Medical Academy's prescriptions."

Emperor Wanli couldn't help but chuckle.

Zhang Yunxiu's words were somewhat sarcastic, but it was fortunate that they were spoken in front of the emperor; if the officials in the court had heard them, they would have impeached him again.

But Emperor Wanli wholeheartedly agreed.

If it weren't for these people holding positions of power and doing nothing, how could my empire have so many problems? How could my dental problems remain untreated?
But Yang Jishi got anxious. As soon as he said this, he didn't care about being disrespectful in front of the emperor. He stood up and pointed at Zhang Yunxiu, cursing him.

"This ignorant brat is spouting nonsense! This is slander! Our Imperial Medical Academy, since the time of Emperor Taizu Gaozu..."

Zhang Yunxiu squinted and said, "Haven't you made enough misdiagnoses already?"

"Me!" Yang Jishi was furious, but he really didn't know how to refute it.

In retrospect, the Imperial Medical Academy was indeed notorious for its misdeeds, and many princes and princesses of the Ming Dynasty were inextricably linked to them.

Emperor Xianzong's eldest son died at one month old, and his second son died at the age of three. Not to mention Emperor Zhengde, who drowned in the middle of his life.

Does this mean the Imperial Medical Academy had no involvement whatsoever?
Emperor Wanli's face twitched. He wanted to reprimand Zhang Yunxiu for his rudeness, but he actually agreed with him. When he looked through the daily records of previous emperors, he even wondered to himself, are these people really reliable?

Should I replace the imperial physicians?
"I...I..." Yang Jishi stammered.

Emperor Wanli understood Zhang Yunxiu's implied meaning. He had just heard Zhang Yunxiu debating medical principles with the imperial physician, and his eyes flashed with hope as he spoke.

"So, you really have a way to cure me?"

"Of course." After all that buildup, Zhang Yunxiu finally said with a smile.

"I have a substance called garlic extract, which has miraculous and extraordinary effects."

It can eliminate symptoms such as swollen and painful gums; it is remarkably effective for hemorrhoids, relieving discomfort and reducing rectal bleeding. Most importantly, it can also inhibit the spread of the plague virus in patients with high fever and facial swelling!

Zhang Yunxiu had been waiting for this moment. He knew in his heart that if he said it directly, the emperor would definitely not believe him.

If this happened, things would be different. The imperial physicians even resorted to using earthworm excrement, showing that they had exhausted all their options.

At this point, any outrageous idea of ​​Zhang Yunxiu could become Wanli's lifeline.

"Really?" Emperor Wanli raised an eyebrow, clearly believing it to some extent.

He really didn't want to smear that earthworm excrement in his mouth!
If what Zhang Yunxiu said is true, then it would be a great thing that kills two birds with one stone, not only solving his own illness but also resolving the current crisis in the capital.

But how is this medicine any different from a miracle drug? Isn't it all just a fantasy?

As expected, Yang Jishi immediately jumped out to object.

"Your Majesty," the old minister said, "I believe this man's claims are absurd and utterly unbelievable. I have read countless medical books and classics, and have never heard of such a miraculous thing. Physicians should diagnose and treat patients according to the principles of Yin and Yang, the Five Elements, meridians, and Qi and blood."

But Zhang Yunxiu ignored him and spoke next to the emperor.

"Your Majesty, I have made careful preparations. This is a national treasure, and it is currently under research. It cannot be shown to others lightly. I request Your Majesty to come out of the palace with me to take a look. Then you will know the details."

"Leave the palace?" Emperor Wanli's eyes lit up, but then he hesitated. "Isn't that inappropriate?"

In his mind, the remonstrances of his ministers, like chanting scriptures, immediately resounded.

"Your Majesty should prioritize the well-being of the nation and should not leave the palace lightly."

"Your Majesty's every action should conform to etiquette and regulations."

"If Your Majesty leaves the palace rashly, the court will surely be thrown into chaos."

In particular, Zhang Yunxiu's father, Zhang Juzheng, would certainly oppose it vehemently upon hearing of this matter.

But Zhang Yunxiu didn't seem to care. He said with a confident expression.

"Your Majesty has long resided within the deep palace, as if floating on clouds. How could you possibly see the suffering of the people? Your Majesty's departure from the palace this time is not for pleasure, but truly an act of concern for the people's livelihood!"

To alleviate the people's suffering and understand their hardships, Your Majesty personally left the palace to investigate the situation. What is wrong with that?

This is not because Your Majesty's actions are absurd, but precisely because it demonstrates Your Majesty's love for your people as if they were your own children!

Upon hearing this, Emperor Wanli's face immediately lit up with anticipation, and he looked at Zhang Yunxiu with even greater respect.

This is a loyal minister! His words are far more pleasing to the ear than those well-read Confucian scholars!
"No!" Seeing that the emperor truly intended to depart, Yang Jishi let out a pig-like howl. "Your Majesty, please reconsider. Leaving the palace is no small matter; it must be reported to the Empress Dowager and informed of the cabinet ministers."

Zhang Yunxiu glared at the other person and said.

"Does Imperial Physician Yang even dare to interfere with the Emperor?"

Yang Jishi shivered, his voice abruptly stopped, and his gaze toward Zhang Yunxiu turned hostile.

That guy is a treacherous minister! A complete and utter treacherous minister!

Seeing Yang Jishi's behavior only fueled Emperor Wanli's ambitions, and he gritted his teeth and stamped his foot, saying...

"Alright! I trust you, Zhang Shiyuan, and I will go with you!"

"No!" Yang Jishi immediately bowed his head, his tone even carrying a hint of threat. "Your Majesty! If you insist on going your own way, this old minister will have no choice but to inform the Empress Dowager."

This made Emperor Wanli hesitate again.

He is no longer afraid of Zhang Juzheng, but he is still very afraid of the Empress Dowager.

But Zhang Yunxiu was a man of his own mind. He raised his eyebrows and immediately suggested to the emperor.

"Your Majesty, speaking of which, I encountered many medical difficulties during the research and development of allicin."

Physician Yang is well-versed in this subject; I believe that with his assistance, we can achieve twice the result with half the effort!

Emperor Wanli's eyes lit up, and he found it amusing.

"rational."

He looked at Yang Ji, who was kneeling on the ground, and said.

"Imperial Physician Yang, you shall go and assist Zhang Shiyuan in making that miraculous medicine."

Yang Jishi suddenly looked up, his expression freezing instantly.

"???"

(End of this chapter)