What’s more important, life or this so-called chastity? Mingzhu felt indignant and found Consort of Fu Wang even more detestable. But she knew that her thoughts represented many people, and there was no way to persuade them. So she smiled and said, “I plan to have Jiang Zhouzi bring out some female disciples, which will be much more convenient.” Since she couldn’t change others’ minds, she would find ways to solve the fundamental problem, which was much more effective than quarreling.
She led everyone to brainstorm ideas, and the atmosphere became lively. A bold idea gradually took shape. Jiang Zhouzi had previously lamented to her about the ignorance of the common people. Some would rather die than accept a cesarean section, others would rather drink toxic ashes than take medicine, and many poor women were ashamed to talk about gynecological diseases. Many women who understood a bit of medical skills mostly worked as part-time witches, and many households lacked even the most basic knowledge of epidemic diseases, resulting in high infant mortality rates and entire families being wiped out.
Since fate had led her on that journey, since she had obtained that book, since she had met Jiang Zhouzi and Caiyun, and since she had people like Tang Chunlai in her household, and her medical class had also achieved some success, why not expand and strengthen this medical class?
For example, set up a special class for female doctors, recruiting intelligent, hardworking, talented, and ambitious women. In the distant future, she would send these people to various places in Great Xia, where they would establish more medical classes and teach medical knowledge to more people, helping local people solve the problems of difficult and expensive medical care. In remote villages, basic knowledge of epidemic diseases and prescriptions could be inscribed on stone tablets to popularize this knowledge, saving countless lives.
With a flourishing population, more barren land could be cultivated, and with fewer illnesses and fewer deaths, production could be strengthened, making Great Xia prosperous and powerful. The more Mingzhu thought about it, the more excited she became, eager to start immediately.
Dai Wangfei has been widowed for many years, feeling lonely and isolated. She was most enthusiastic about these matters and asked Mingzhu with great interest, “Even if you had three heads and six arms, you couldn’t handle it all alone. Do you need help?”
Mingzhu immediately said, “Many hands make light work. Of course, we need everyone’s help. If there are literate and diligent maids who are willing to become female doctors in Sister-in-law’s household, let them come and give it a try.” To study medicine, one must first be literate and have a foundation. Recruiting these carefully selected maids from various mansions would be much better than temporarily recruiting a batch of illiterate and ignorant people. It would be like achieving twice the result with half the effort. Otherwise, who knows how many years it would take to realize this dream.
Dai Wangfei thought for a moment and actually agreed, “I’ll pick some after I go back. If it works out, it will be a great merit.”
Consort of Fu Wang also thought for a moment and pretended to say, “I’ll inquire about it when I go back.”
Mingzhu didn’t expect much from Consort of Fu Wang, but since she had spoken, she had to affirm it. So she happily toasted these two sisters-in-law, “Then I thank both sisters-in-law in advance.”
They enjoyed themselves here, and outside, the guests dispersed. Yuwen Chu drank a little too much, so he drank sobering soup with Mingzhu’s help. He also wanted to feed her some, “You should drink too. You’ve had quite a bit of alcohol, drinking this will make you feel better.”
Seeing his good mood, Mingzhu knew that their brothers should have had a good conversation, so she deliberately avoided Yuwen You and asked him about Fu Wang’s affairs instead, “What did Second Brother say?”
In the past life, Fu Wang was also restless, lacking in talent, yet still fantasizing about ascending to the throne. He had always made some small moves in private but never achieved anything significant. This time, he had made some small moves before, but he lacked courage and didn’t cross any lines, so Yuwen Chu didn’t pay much attention to him.
But now, with a major crisis looming, and with Yuwen Chu about to go to war, once the Great Empress Dowager and others realized that they couldn’t enthrone the young emperor and lost grasp of Yuwen Xin and Yuwen You, they might start plotting against Fu Wang. For example, since they wanted to establish the Crown Prince, they might say a few more words about why Fu Wang should be the Crown Prince, and it was difficult to guarantee that Fu Wang wouldn’t think it was reasonable and start stirring up trouble.
Although Fu Wang didn’t have much power, it was better to avoid trouble altogether. Therefore, tonight, Yuwen Chu wasn’t just bidding farewell to Yuwen You but also fostering brotherly feelings and subtly reminding Fu Wang to follow him faithfully—sticking with him would bring benefits.
Yuwen Chu chuckled, “Second Brother, as you know, probably had some ideas before, but after the events at Jiuzhou Terrace and the prophecies, he gave up. Today, he drank too much and swore and cried, begging me to believe him, that as his older brother, he would definitely support me and ensure I had nothing to worry about. He even said that if I didn’t believe him, he could give his son to me to take along on the expedition. I told him I have my own son and don’t need his.”
Thinking of Fu Wang’s appearance at that time, Yuwen Chu burst into laughter, “You weren’t there, otherwise, you’d laugh too.”
Mingzhu thought of Fu Wang, chubby and with his eyes rolling around, and found it funny too, “Second Sister-in-law and Fourth Sister-in-law were discussing opening another female doctor class…” She briefly explained the idea to Yuwen Chu, “When there’s no more war in the future and everything is stable, could His Highness establish a medical department and create such institutions everywhere, with the court providing salaries to these people, allowing them to save more lives.”
“Also, since Jiang Zhouzi has left the palace this time, I don’t intend to let the Great Empress Dowager have her way anymore. Under the pretext of taboo, I won’t let him stay in the palace. He’ll only be summoned when needed, and the rest of the time, he’ll stay outside the palace to teach my medical class. Additionally, I’ll pick some good military doctors for him to teach courses on treating injuries and surgeries like bone setting. These people can accompany His Highness on expeditions to minimize casualties.”
As soon as she finished speaking, she noticed Yuwen Chu staring at her brightly. She couldn’t help feeling a little puzzled, “Your Highness, what are you looking at? Is there something wrong with me?”
Yuwen Chu smiled, “Of course, I’m looking at you. Did you come up with this idea yourself, or did someone help you? Is it because you want to earn a good reputation or because you want to do something meaningful?”
Mingzhu gave him a big eye roll without reservation, “I’m not someone who fishes for fame! This comes from my heart, from my heart!” Before, when Li Bochun advised her to open a charity hall, it was to improve her reputation and change her image of being domineering and reckless. That was the initial purpose of opening the charity hall. At that time, she didn’t expect to have such aspirations one day.
Yuwen Chu gently squeezed her hand, readily agreeing, “Alright, I promise. If that day comes, no matter how difficult it is, I will definitely support you. Let the inscriptions on the epidemic monuments bloom everywhere, and let the medical officials of Great Xia go to the fields and help the common people with epidemic prevention and treatment!”
