Rise of a Lonely City: From Exiled Prince to Ruler of the Nine Provinces

The issuance of "Jingbei Tongbao" was like injecting strong and fresh blood into the economic lifeline of Hanyuan, making the flow of wealth smooth and orderly.

However, Xiao Chen's gaze did not linger solely on the gold, silver, and copper coins. He deeply understood that "the people are the foundation of the state, and when the foundation is firm, the state is secure."

If Hanyuan is to truly prosper, it needs not only mountains of grain and gold and silver, but also a strong and healthy populace that can sustain life.

"Human life is of utmost importance, more precious than a thousand pieces of gold." In this era of extremely poor medical conditions, a sudden plague was enough to destroy a prosperous town and even shake the foundation of a country.

Therefore, when the financial situation improved slightly, Xiao Chen issued a royal decree to "spare no expense to benefit all people"—to establish "people-benefiting clinics" in all towns, military garrisons, and even large villages throughout the territory, and to implement a basic medical security system.

In the past, medical affairs in Hanyuan were mostly handled by the Ministry of Rites, or by itinerant doctors and monks and Taoists from temples who practiced medicine on their own. There was a lack of systematic management, the quality of medical care varied greatly, and the fees were high, so the people "had difficulty getting medical treatment when they were sick, and had difficulty finding a doctor."

Xiao Chen ordered the establishment of a "Medical Administration" under the Department of Civil Affairs to oversee medical affairs throughout the territory.

Murong Xue was appointed as the first Director of the Medical Administration Bureau, with full authority over matters such as the construction of medical clinics, physician training, management of medicinal materials, and prevention and control of epidemics.

"Xue'er," Xiao Chen said to Murong Xue, "This matter concerns the lives of countless people and the vitality of the nation. I entrust this important task to you. Do not disappoint me."

"Your Highness, rest assured!"

Murong Xue's expression was resolute. "Xue'er will do everything in her power to ensure that the people of Hanyuan have access to medical care and treatment!"

After taking office, Murong Xue immediately set about building a "three-tiered medical network" in order to ensure that "minor illnesses can be treated in the village, major illnesses in the town, and serious illnesses in the city."

"Benefit-the-People General Halls" were established in major towns such as Zhenbeicheng, Panshibao, Qinghe Town, and Heishan Town.

It is a large-scale facility, divided into departments of internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, pediatrics, acupuncture, pharmacy, and wards.

Equipped with experienced physicians, advanced medical equipment and medications, and even a basic operating room, it can diagnose and treat complex and rare diseases, and admit critically ill patients.

"Benefit-the-People Branch Halls" were established in military garrisons and large villages with a population of over a thousand. Each branch hall was staffed with one or two resident physicians, several apprentice pharmacists, and a full range of commonly used medicinal herbs. They could diagnose and treat common and frequently occurring diseases, as well as minor injuries.

In remote villages and baojia (local security) settlements, "benefit-the-people pharmacies" were established, or "mobile clinic teams" conducted regular rounds of medical visits. "Barefoot doctors" were also provided, and basic medicine kits were stocked.

The construction of the medical clinic was extremely costly. Xiao Chen adopted a strategy of "government-led operation as the main method, supplemented by private assistance."

The government allocated special funds for the construction of facilities, the purchase of equipment, the storage of medicinal materials, and the payment of salaries for government physicians.

Huimin Medical Center is a non-profit organization whose mission is to "save lives and heal the wounded, and benefit the common people".

Wealthy merchants, gentry, and clans are encouraged to donate funds to build museums, which can be named or have a "merit monument" erected.

The military established a "Military Medical Department" and cooperated with "Huimin Medical Clinics". Military doctors could practice at civilian clinics, and civilian clinic doctors could enter the military for training.

The biggest problem was the lack of doctors. There were very few qualified doctors in Hanyuan. Murong Xue adopted a method of "training those in urgent need first, and combining short-term and long-term training".

Three hundred people were selected from among refugees, wounded soldiers, and literate civilians to undergo a three-month "accelerated medical training program." The program taught basic medical principles, diagnosis and treatment of common diseases, wound care, and commonly used prescriptions. Upon completion, they were assigned to various branch clinics and pharmacies.

Promising young physicians are selected to pursue further studies at the Huimin General Hospital or the Department of Medicine at the Gewu Institute, specializing in a particular specialty.

The government provides subsidies to encourage experienced doctors to mentor apprentices.

They offer high salaries to renowned doctors from the Central Plains, Jiangnan, and even the Western Regions to teach or practice medicine in Hanyuan.

Medicinal herbs are the foundation of medicine. Xiao Chen ordered the establishment of an "Official Pharmacy" to manage medicinal herbs in a unified manner.

In places like Heishan Town and Qinghe Town, "medicinal herb planting bases" have been established to cultivate authentic northern medicinal herbs such as ginseng, licorice, astragalus, angelica, and rhubarb.

They organized "herb-gathering teams" to go deep into the mountains and forests to collect wild medicinal herbs.

They used caravans to purchase medicinal herbs that were not produced in the Cold Abyss from the Central Plains, Jiangnan, and the Western Regions.

Establish "pharmacy workshops" to process medicinal materials into "pills, powders, ointments, and elixirs" for easy storage and use.

The Huimin Medical Center had an immediate and significant effect upon its establishment.

The "Benefit-the-People Medical Clinic" charges extremely low consultation fees and medicines at cost price. Poor people can receive "free medical consultations," or "pay after treatment," or even "buy on credit."

The clinic regularly distributes "epidemic prevention medicine soup," promotes hygiene knowledge, and improves drinking water hygiene.

Military personnel and their families enjoy priority medical treatment and fee reductions.

"First aid stations" were set up in towns and cities, equipped with "emergency carriages" to quickly transport critically ill patients.

"Your Highness is benevolent!"

Cries of "Mercy, Miss Murong!" echoed in front of clinics across the country.

Many patients who were originally destined to die received treatment at the "Huimin Medical Center" and were given a new lease on life.

Their gratitude towards Xiao Chen and the Han Yuan government was heartfelt and unforgettable.

That summer, a sudden epidemic (similar to dysentery) struck the northern border. In the past, at this time, the area would have been deserted, with bones exposed in the fields. But this time, the "Huimin Medical Clinic" quickly activated its "epidemic prevention plan".

Patients should be isolated quickly to prevent the spread of the disease.

Free distribution of "anti-dysentery decoction" and the placement of "disinfectant powder" at water sources.

Post "Epidemic Prevention Notices" and promote hygiene habits such as "washing hands before meals and after using the toilet, and not drinking unboiled water".

Thanks to effective measures, the epidemic was quickly brought under control. Only a little over a hundred people died across the region, far fewer than the tens of thousands of deaths in previous years. The people are even more convinced that the "beneficial medical clinics" are their "protective shield."

Accompanied by Murong Xue, Xiao Chen inspected the "Zhenbei City Benefit Center".

Looking at the clean ward, the busy doctors, and the orderly people waiting in line for their appointments, he felt a sense of satisfaction.

"Xue'er," he said to Murong Xue, "you did very well."

"It's all thanks to the prince's support."

Murong Xue said, "Currently, Hanyuan has thirty medical clinics, three hundred doctors, and a thousand apprentice doctors. Although we cannot cure all diseases, we can ensure that the people are free from the worry of major epidemics."

"This is just the beginning."

Xiao Chen said, "In the future, we will ensure that every citizen of Hanyuan can enjoy basic medical care from birth to old age. We will build more clinics, train more doctors, and develop better medicines."

"Yes, Your Highness." Murong Xue's gaze was firm. "Xue'er will certainly do her best for this."

The widespread establishment of medical clinics not only saved countless lives but also united the hearts of the people.

It proclaims to the world: Hanyuan is not only a land of strong armies and a country of wealth, but also a country of benevolence and civilization.

This intangible "soft power" will lay the deepest foundation of popular support for Hanyuan's rise.