White-robed Minister

Chapter 176 0174 [Pianpian is Pregnant]

That evening, the eunuch named Liang Shi personally arranged rooms in the guesthouse for Xu Lai and his companions to stay temporarily.

The next day, Xu Lai visited other officials in Qin Prefecture.

Regardless of the official rank, the priority is to become a familiar face first.

Yang Shu then handed over his duties to the Chengji County Magistrate's Office. The magistrate had endured four years of hardship and was finally looking forward to having someone take over. He treated Yang Shu with great enthusiasm.

The prefectural magistrate of Qin Prefecture was named Fu Xie, but he was just a lazy bum.

Xu Lai asked him about military affairs and the Qiang tribe, but he knew nothing about them, almost like a useless person. He probably had never been to the area west of Qinzhou City.

However, there are different kinds of trash, and Fu Xie belongs to the kind of trash who doesn't cause trouble.

Hearing that Xu Lai was going to rent a house in Qinzhou City to settle his family, Fu Xie even took the initiative to help him find a house, finding one that was relatively close to the government office area.

"This house is nice, and the price is cheap. It's much bigger than the one we rent in Beijing," Pianpian said, expressing her satisfaction after looking at the house.

Xu Lai smiled and said, "The rent for houses in the border areas is naturally lower."

Suddenly, Pianpian felt nauseous, clutched her chest as if she wanted to vomit, but forced herself to hold it back.

Xu Lai, who occasionally watches TV dramas, suspected that Pianpian was pregnant and hurriedly asked Chen Xiaoyi to fetch a doctor.

"How long has it been since you last had your period?" Xu Lai asked.

"One or two months, I guess. I thought it was just the travel messing up my period, I didn't think of that," Pianpian said with surprise, "Could it be—"

When Chen Xiaoyi first arrived in Qinzhou, he had no idea where there were doctors. He had to ask around for a long time before he was able to get one.

The doctor was very skilled in surgery, but seemed somewhat inept at pulse diagnosis. After a long pause, he gave a vague answer: "It seems like a pregnancy pulse."

What does "seems like" mean?

Xu Lai personally went to the magistrate's office to ask Fu Xie to help find the best doctor in the city.

The doctor, Zhang Fu, took Pianpian's pulse for a while, asked her for details, and quickly determined that she was pregnant.

Xu Lai was both worried and happy. He was worried because the medical conditions here were poor, and what if Pianpian encountered complications during childbirth?

outside----

He called Pianpian and Yu'er into the room and explained basic hygiene: "No matter where you are, there are many bacteria—well, invisible little bugs. These little bugs can make people sick. Especially in warm and humid places, these invisible little bugs are more likely to breed."

"My lord also knows medicine?" Pianpian and Yu'er asked in surprise.

Xu Lai casually made up a story: "I have a friend named Lin Yi who has been compiling medical books for the imperial court for more than ten years. He told me all this. According to him, when delivering a baby, the sheets, blankets, and clothes must be boiled in boiling water. After boiling, the small insects will be killed. I'm afraid the obstetricians in Qinzhou won't understand, so Yu'er, you must remember this."

Yu'er nodded quickly: "I remember. When my wife gave birth, I told the wet nurse to do it this way."

"Lin Yi also told me about a device called forceps, which is used to assist in childbirth, but I forgot what forceps look like. Never mind, I'll discuss this with the doctor." Xu Lai had long admired forceps, but had never actually seen one.

The next day, upon hearing that Pianpian was pregnant, Wang Shao and Yang Shu both brought gifts to congratulate her.

Xu Lai chatted with them for a while, and then invited Zhang Fu, a famous local doctor, to come over.

"Will Mr. Zhang personally deliver the baby?" Xu Lai asked.

Zhang Fu said, "I usually do the consultations and prescribe medicine, while the delivery is handled by the lactation specialist. Lactation specialists are usually women, so it's more convenient for them to deliver babies. Occasionally, I will deliver the babies myself."

Xu Lai guided the conversation by saying, "I heard in the capital that there is a type of forceps that can hold the baby's head to help with delivery."

Does Qin Prefecture possess such a thing?

"Forceps delivery —"

Zhang Fu imagined using forceps to clamp the baby's head, and after a short while, he excitedly exclaimed, "No wonder they're doctors from Tokyo! They actually came up with such a method! Master Xu, what do forceps look like?"

Xu Lai shook his head and said, "I don't know. But I do know that doctors in Tokyo boil forceps in water before using them. After boiling, the mother is less likely to get sick."

"Boiling in boiling water? This is to remove evil spirits!" Zhang Fu began to think about what shape the forceps should be made for best force application.

This is Xu Lai's purpose: to leave professional matters to professionals.

The doctor will think about how to design forceps, and by the time Pianpian gives birth, the forceps will probably have already been used by other pregnant women.

As for sterilization by boiling water, doctors in the Song Dynasty already knew about it.

"All acupuncture and scalpel tools must be boiled three times in boiling water," meaning that the knives and needles used by doctors must be boiled three times in boiling water.

After staying in Qinzhou City for five days, Xu Lai was finally ready to set off for Guwei Village.

He left all the servants behind to take care of Pianpian, and only took Buchao with him to his new post.

Pianpian escorted them to the outskirts of the city, holding back her tears as she urged them, "I've heard that the ancient Weizhai village is full of Qiang people, so please be very careful. I—the child and I are waiting for you to come back."

Xu Lai comforted him, "I return to Qinzhou City every two months, so nothing will happen. Don't worry, just take care of yourself. If you encounter any difficulties, just send Chen Xiaoyi to the county government office to find Yang Shisanlang."

"Mm." Pianpian nodded.

She had a lot to say, but she was afraid that saying too much would affect Xu Lai, so she could only swallow her words.

The couple bid each other a reluctant farewell, while the other civil and military officials waited by the moat.

Wang Shao asked a military officer, "Is Commander Wang a local?"

Wang Junwan nodded: "People from Ningyuan Village."

"I've been to Ningyuan Village, but it was two years ago. What's the situation there now?" Wang Shao asked.

Wang Junwan replied dismissively, "It's alright."

Wang Shao didn't ask any more questions, knowing that the other party was holding back and that they would have to build a closer relationship before asking any more.

Wang Junwan was the commander of Qinfeng Road, with five hundred cavalrymen under his command. Of course, this was only in name; only about three hundred were actually capable of fighting.

Cai Kang was worried that Xu Lai would have no troops to use, so he handed Wang Junwan over to Xu Lai directly, and the more than 300 cavalrymen also moved to Guwei Village.

They were all lightly armored cavalry, primarily skilled in mounted archery, harassment, and pursuit; they weren't particularly adept at close-quarters combat.

After waiting for a while, Xu Lai finally finished saying goodbye to his wife.

He and Bu Chao rode across the moat, and he bowed to Wang Junwan, saying, "Commander Wang, thank you for your trouble!"

"It's my duty." Wang Junwan wasn't in a good mood, and even felt extremely resistant.

He believed that Xu Lai was too young and an incompetent civil official. The emperor sending such a person to oversee the border expansion was likely to cause trouble and kill countless soldiers.

The group traveled westward, with Wang Shao providing updates along the way.

Unlike the eastern part of Qinzhou City, the western part of the territory has a significantly increased number of fortified villages and strongholds.

Important military nodes were fortified towns, all guarded by military generals. Inside the towns were merchants and vendors, while outside were areas where archers were stationed to cultivate the land.

The area practices a system of archers serving as farmers during peacetime and soldiers during wartime. Most of them are displaced people and landless farmers who migrated from inland Shaanxi.

Each archer was granted 100 mu of land, along with oxen and farming tools. Those who rendered meritorious service could also be granted more land. They lived within five li of each fortified village and cultivated the river valley terraces.

After passing Fuqiang City (Gangu), there are even more fortified villages.

Some archer settlements even had small forts built on them.

These small forts, unguarded by military officers, were more like earthen strongholds. Upon detecting enemy activity, the archers would immediately move in, taking their families into the forts for defense.

Wang Shao pointed to the desolate valley between the two stockades: "For safety, the archers live within five miles of the stockades. The farther away from the stockades, the sparser the population becomes. This is the kind of place we want to cultivate."

Wang Junwan couldn't hold back any longer and interjected, "I wonder where you two gentlemen found so many archers to cultivate the land?"

Before Wang Shao could answer, Xu Lai demonstrated his capabilities: "His Majesty said that he will recruit archers in Shaanxi and western Beijing to cultivate the border regions."

Wang Junwan smiled and shut his mouth, saying nothing more.

He felt that these two civil officials were just playing house with the emperor.

As evening approached, Wang Shao pointed ahead and said, "Yongning Village is just a few miles away. Beyond Yongning Village is Xiaoluomen Village. Further ahead is Ningyuan Village, Commander Wang's hometown."

Wang Junwan asked in surprise, "Wang Jiyi is very familiar with the geography of Qin Prefecture?"

Wang Shao said, "I have traveled here for several years and have even gone deep into the Qiang tribes to explore."

Upon hearing this, Wang Junwan no longer regarded him as an ordinary civil official, and, still on horseback, cupped his hands and said, "I admire you!"

Xu Lai said, "Let's spend the night outside Yongning Village."

Wang Junwan immediately ordered the army to speed up its march, set up camp outside Yongning Village, and sent people into the village to negotiate with the garrison commander.

Upon hearing that two superiors had arrived, Liu Fang, the chieftain of Yongning Village, immediately led his subordinates out to pay their respects.

Xu Lai personally helped Liu Fang up, took Liu Fang's hand and said, "I have long heard of Chief Liu's great name, and seeing him today, he is indeed majestic and imposing!"

Liu Fang was only greeting him out of courtesy, but he didn't expect Xu Lai to be so polite, and he was subconsciously a little touched.

This godforsaken place hasn't seen any civil officials for many years, let alone a top-ranking scholar, and yet they've been so polite to military officers.

Wang Junwan couldn't help but roll his eyes.

As Xu Lai traveled westward, he encountered various village chiefs along the way, and they all used the same trick: grabbing the general's hand and praising his strength.

However, it must be said that Wang Junwan's opinion of Xu Lai has changed somewhat.

After all, there aren't many civil officials who are willing to treat military generals with courtesy.

Liu Fang said, "Master Xu, please come into the camp to rest. I have already sent someone to prepare wine and food."

Xu Lai politely declined, saying, "I appreciate Chief Liu's kindness. I've been sharing meals and lodging with the soldiers all this way, and I'll be sleeping in the camp at night. Why don't you join me for a drink outside the camp, Chief Liu?"

Liu Fang subconsciously looked at Wang Junwan.

Wang Junwan pursed his lips, indicating that he was not familiar with Xu Lai and did not understand what kind of person this top scholar was.

Liu Fang immediately summoned his subordinate officers and sent food and wine to the military camp outside the village. He then lit a bonfire and drank with Xu Lai and Wang Shao.

Xu Lai had no airs of a civil official; he threw off his turban and drank and boasted with the soldiers.

Wang Shao was similar.

Anyone with eyes can see what their actions mean.

But it just works!

The military officers actually fell for this, and even Wang Junwan was no longer so resistant to them.

Establishing authority is definitely necessary, but not now. Xu Lai and Wang Shao brought nothing with them; they must first win over the local military commanders and establish authority when an opportunity arises later.

The next day, they continued on their journey.

Upon arriving at Ningyuan Village, Wang Junwan took the initiative to invite Xu Lai to his home, which was seen as accepting Xu Lai as his superior and showing goodwill towards him.

Zhang Shouyue was also in Ningyuan Village. He was the deputy commander of Qinfeng Road, in charge of the villages and Qiang tribes west of Fuqiang City.

Xu Lai took out Ouyang Xiu's letter.

After reading the letter, Zhang Shouyue exclaimed in surprise, "You are actually the son-in-law of Minister Yu?"

Xu Lai nodded and said, "My wife is currently in Qinzhou City."

Zhang Shouyue was promoted by Ouyang Xiu and even fought alongside Yu Jing against Nong Zhigao.

With these connections, he naturally became close to Xu Lai and immediately reminded him, "Guwei Village has been in disrepair for many years, with only a hundred or so soldiers stationed there, and it is surrounded by many Qiang tribes. It is really dangerous. Xu Dapan would be better off staying in Ningyuan Village."

Xu Lai said, "I have been appointed by the imperial court to oversee the affairs of Guwei Village. How can I not reside in Guwei Village?"

Worried that something might happen to Xu Lai, Zhang Shouyue allocated fifty soldiers to him. He also sent messengers to inform the chieftains of each village that Xu Lai was a disciple of Ouyang Xiu, and ordered the chieftains not to disobey him.

"Tap tap tap!"

A sound of horses' hooves rang out, as a messenger arrived with an official document: all villages west of Yongning Village were to be placed under the jurisdiction of Tongyuan Army. The military headquarters would be located at Guwei Village, and Xu Lai would serve as the Tongyuan Army Commander.

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