Qin Dynasty: Who offended my frail and sickly minister?

When Zhou Wenqing pulled this move, the entire hall became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The few who were eager to try just now were now looking down at their noses and minds, wishing they could shrink into the cracks between the bricks.

Actually... it's just teaching some craftsmen. The common people are dull-witted, so they learn a skill. It's... not a big deal.

At least they won't risk their lives and the lives of their entire families.

For a moment, no one dared to step forward, cautiously observing Zhou Wenqing's expression, afraid of getting into trouble.

Things were going so smoothly that Li Si's eyes darted around. After a moment's thought, he decided to strike while the iron was hot and gritted his teeth, stepping forward:

"Your Majesty, regarding the academy, I have another matter to report at the same time."

He turned slightly to the side, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials in the hall, finally settling on Zhou Wenqing in his wheelchair, a perfectly measured expression of respect on his face:

"I have heard that the Zhou Inner Historian once had a senior brother who traveled far and wide, practicing medicine and helping people. He compiled a medical classic based on his life's learning. The medical techniques recorded in it were all unheard of, such as disinfection and suturing, fracture reduction, treatment of difficult childbirth, and methods of controlling epidemics."

A slight commotion arose in the hall; some people looked surprised, while others whispered among themselves.

"Several months ago, Zhou Neishi handed this medical classic to Physician Lü of the Imperial Medical Bureau and his disciple Xia Wuqie and others, instructing them to study and verify it. I recently learned that Physician Lü and others took this classic out of the city to provide free medical services and tried it on poor patients."

He paused, then raised his voice slightly:

"Remarkable results, saving countless lives!"

"Those with broken bones, who were already bedridden with broken legs, would become disabled even if they survived without proper treatment. But with proper treatment according to the classics, the broken bones left no trace, and after a few months, they were able to walk with a cane and return to the fields."

"Those who are injured by sharp weapons will have their skin torn open and the bone exposed. According to the old method, they will be stuffed with medicine and tightly bound with cloth bandages. This will easily cause ulceration and suppuration. Eight or nine out of ten will have a persistent fever. Even if they are lucky enough to survive, most will be left with disabilities, like useless people. According to the suturing method in the classics, the wound is stitched up with needle and thread. After several days, the skin and flesh will gradually heal. Within ten days or a month, there will be no danger to their lives."

"Even more women suffer from difficult childbirth, with both mother and child in danger. According to the old law, they can only leave it to fate. Countless cases have resulted in the death of both mother and child. If the doctor provides proper treatment according to the classics, the mother can survive and the child can live, thus preserving the family line and continuing the bloodline of the family. Only in this way can we protect the roots of the population of our Great Qin and consolidate the foundation of our state."

Li Dun stopped, glancing out of the corner of his eye at the side of the hall—the gray-haired Physician Lü stood with his hands at his sides; it was his turn to be on duty today.

God help me too.

He turned to the throne, his voice slow and deliberate:

"Your Majesty, the senior brother of the Zhou Inner Historian possesses extraordinary skills that he does not conceal. He has passed them down through medical texts, saving countless lives. I happened to be in the Zhou residence discussing this matter with Physician Lü, and since we were discussing the academy, I have taken the liberty of inviting Physician Lü to the residence to teach me this text."

He turned to the side, his gaze falling on Physician Lü.

For a physician to enter the academy, someone needs to take the lead. Physician Lü is highly respected, and if he is willing to step forward, the matter will be half accomplished.

In the past few days at the Zhou residence, Li Si had personally witnessed the Imperial Medical Bureau's fervent pursuit of medical texts. They pressed Zhou Wenqing daily about when he could learn and apply the knowledge, and even pass it on to his disciples. Although the matter was sudden, but—

Physician Lü wouldn't refuse... right?

Upon hearing this, Physician Lü paused for a moment, then stepped forward, straightened his back, and bowed deeply to the throne.

"Your Majesty, I have practiced medicine for decades, guarding only a few volumes of secret prescriptions, cherishing them dearly. Only today have I truly understood the meaning of a physician's benevolence—that gentleman was willing to impart all his knowledge so readily, how could I dare to keep anything to myself? I am willing to pass on all my life's learning to future generations!"

The ministers looked at each other, and the entire hall was filled with astonishment.

Zhou Wenqing suddenly lowered his eyes, his fingers tightening slightly.

He knew the rules of this era better than anyone else—ancestral secret recipes were passed down directly from master to disciple, orally, and never to be passed on to outsiders.

He took out the medical book, intending to use it as bait to lure the Imperial Medical Bureau into the trap. Although he had made an agreement with Xia Wuqie, Li Si's request was sudden, and he had not yet had time to discuss the details and draw boundaries with Physician Lü. He was sweating bullets.

Then I heard Physician Lü say—

I am willing to impart all that I have learned in my life, without reservation, and without reservation.

Zhou Wenqing's Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily, and then a silent smile appeared on his lips.

Standing in the hall, Li Si was also shaken, and then his eyes shone brightly.

He stepped forward, his voice trembling slightly with excitement, yet each word he uttered was firm and resolute:

"Your Majesty! Physician Lü is a man of great virtue and wisdom, willing to impart all his knowledge. This is a blessing for Qin and a boon for all its people! I request that physicians be formally incorporated into academies, that medical departments be established, that apprentices be accepted, that their skills be passed on, and that their knowledge be used to save the people!"

"Good! Great good!"

Emperor Ying Zheng was overjoyed and slapped the table in praise, saying, "Physician Lü is a man of great integrity, Minister Li has put in painstaking effort, and Minister Zhou has shared his knowledge and skills. I am very pleased!"

He straightened up slightly, the hem of his black robe hanging down from the edge of the throne, his gaze sharp as lightning, slowly sweeping across the hall.

Wherever his gaze fell, the courtiers all lowered their heads, none daring to challenge him.

"In that case, it seems there's no need to discuss the establishment of the Great Qin Academy any further, is there?"

Although it was a question, the tone was unquestionable, revealing the domineering aura of an emperor.

"Your Majesty...cough cough...Your Majesty seconds this!"

The wheelchair creaked and turned, its sound particularly clear in the deathly silent hall.

Zhou Wenqing slowly emerged from the queue, turning his wheel himself, and was the first to face the throne, raising his hands with difficulty.

His movements were shaky, his cough was heart-wrenching, and an unnatural red flush rose on his pale face, but his eyes shone with an astonishing brightness.

With Brother Gu'an and Mr. Lü both working so hard, how could he not add fuel to the fire?

He was breathing heavily, his chest heaving, his voice terribly hoarse, but he forced himself to finish speaking:

"Your Majesty, I wish that the Great Qin Academy...will be completed soon!"

As soon as he finished speaking, another bout of rapid coughing shook everyone to their core.

The assembled officials in the hall were speechless.

...That's really unnecessary.

Physician Lü, what are you standing there for? We've got a job! Get him out of here!

But Physician Lü stood to the side of the hall, eyes fixed on his nose and mind, completely still.

He's busy being moved!

The officials looked at each other, and for a moment no one dared to speak.

Several senior officials at the head of the table, including Lord Changping, had their brows furrowed deeply.

Expanding the Bureau of All Things is a good thing, but for commoners to become literate, and for it to be named the Great Qin Academy... how can this be allowed?!

Even if nothing else can be changed, the name of the Great Qin Academy must not be used, lest it lead to endless troubles.

They subtly turned to the side and gave a wink to those behind them, assuming that someone from their carefully held positions would risk their lives to step forward, even if it was just to probe for information...

But to his surprise, there was complete silence behind him.

Someone gritted their teeth and moved their toes forward just half an inch—

Ying Zheng's gaze then shifted over there.

Those eyes pressed down like an icy pool, cold as a knife quenched in ice, and the air seemed to freeze wherever they passed.

The man's foot froze in place.

His mouth was still open, but he couldn't utter a single word. Cold sweat trickled down his forehead and dripped onto the gold brick.

"Clatter"

That soft sound was exceptionally clear in the deathly silent hall.

waste.

Clean up these woodworms morning and night.

Ying Zheng felt a chill in his heart, withdrew his gaze, and slowly fixed it on Zhou Wenqing.

When his gaze fell upon the figure in the wheelchair, it softened slightly, but then his brows furrowed again.

His face was so pale and his breath was so weak, could that really be acted out?

Is this an act, or is it real...?

He was also a little unsure for a moment.

He tapped his fingers lightly twice on the imperial desk.

Whether it's true or not, ending this morning court session as soon as possible and letting him go back to rest is always the right thing to do.

Ying Zheng straightened up slightly, his cold gaze slowly sweeping across the hall, and wherever he passed, the ministers all lowered their heads.

He said in a deep voice:

"Since no one has any objections—"

"Your Majesty, I have a question."

A voice rang out from the ranks, steadily reaching everyone's ears.

Ying Zheng frowned, his gaze instantly turning cold, sweeping over the source of the sound as if it were a tangible force.

The speaker seemed oblivious, and continued to slowly step out of the queue. The man was slender, dressed in a neat black official robe, and was none other than the Imperial Censor, Kui Zhuang.

He bowed slightly towards the throne, then straightened up, meeting the cold gaze with composure, his voice neither humble nor arrogant:

"Your Majesty, regarding Li Tingwei's request to build an academy, I believe... there are still problems, and further consideration is needed."

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the hall immediately became subtle.

The crowd, who had just been frightened and shrank back, now quietly raised their heads, their gazes shifting back and forth between Wei Zhuang and Zhou Wenqing, their expressions varied.

Why did this person step forward as well?

Although Kui Zhuang was also born into a noble family, he was known for his integrity and uprightness. He was meticulous in his work, spoke directly and frankly, and never beat around the bush. He did not take sides, form cliques, or show favoritism, making him an anomaly in the court.

That's precisely why his words carry so much weight.

A murmur of discussion arose in the hall, but no one dared to raise their voices. All eyes were quietly fixed on the slender figure in the wheelchair.

Zhou Wenqing remained seated quietly, but the hand covering his chest tightened almost imperceptibly.

Kui-like...