Chapter 458: The Nelson Family

The Medical Academy.

Doctor Oscar was reading a medical book inside his clinic. This book had been written by Prince Simon himself, filled with astonishing medical techniques one after another.

Over the past two years, he had gained much from these teachings. Diseases he couldn’t previously understand were now easily treated. He especially regarded the Compendium of Materia Medica and Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold as medical masterpieces.

He had also studied the Treatise on Epidemics, which offered unique insights into plagues and taught methods to defend against them.

He had asked Prince Simon several times about the origins of these amazing medical books, hoping to meet the authors, but was told that they had all passed away or were out of reach.

Although he was curious, he didn’t dare press further, he didn’t want to displease the prince.

Just as he was marvelling over the techniques in the book, two people entered the clinic. Seeing who it was, Doctor Oscar immediately got up to greet them.

"Your Highness, Chief Minister Baldwin."

He spoke respectfully. The students from the Public Administration Academy had already spread news of the political reform in Brambleford, so he was well aware that the former Chief Secretary was now known as Chief Minister.

Prince Simon glanced around the clinic, it had three rooms and served a function similar to a school infirmary. Normally, sick students would come here, and when Doctor Oscar wasn’t busy, he stayed in the clinic.

Noticing that Prince Simon and the Chief Minister both looked displeased, Doctor Oscar felt uneasy. He cautiously said, "Your Highness, the Chief Minister visiting the Medical Academy at this time truly brings us great honour."

"Great honour?" Prince Simon gave a cold hum. "Whether the Medical Academy can be honourable doesn’t depend on me, it depends on you, Doctor Oscar. At least you’re self-aware enough to admit that the academy is just barely holding on."

His words were blunt, and fear instantly appeared on Physician Oscar’s face. He nervously asked, "Your Highness, what have I done wrong to make you this upset?"

"What have you done wrong? You really don’t know?" Simon snapped. "When I appointed you to lead the Medical Academy, what did you promise? Now there are over two hundred students, how many of them can practice medicine independently?"

Doctor Oscar finally understood the prince’s anger and responded, "Your Highness, throughout history, the tradition has always been to pass knowledge from master to disciple. Without that bond, there is no teaching. That has been the rule for generations. Now that I teach medicine at the academy, I’ve already broken those traditions. Other physicians have been scolding me behind my back. I hope Your Highness can understand."

"Who is bold enough to act so arrogantly?" Chief Minister Baldwin frowned upon hearing this.

As the Chief Minister of the domain, Baldwin Atwood stood firmly on Prince Simon’s side. There were far too few physicians in the region, and many people had to travel long distances to seek treatment in Brambleford.

The Medical Academy had been established specifically to train more doctors for the people. Anyone standing in its way deserves severe punishment.

Doctor Oscar explained, "Chief Minister Baldwin, there are only a handful of master physicians in the empire. Now that I’ve broken tradition, I’ve been condemned by them all."

Prince Simon frowned. "So what if they condemn you? Do you not realise this academy was founded to heal the sick and save lives? Have all the teachings about compassion in medicine become meaningless? In truth, all of you care more about status and personal gain than actually helping people. You’re afraid that teaching others will steal your livelihood."

"This... I..." Doctor Oscar was speechless. He couldn’t argue, Prince Simon had hit the nail on the head.

In the Eldorian Empire, being a physician was a highly profitable profession. Prince Simon’s radical reforms had long made many physicians upset. They grumbled behind the scenes but dared not speak out openly. After all, Prince Simon was powerful and beloved by the people. If he didn’t hesitate to eliminate noble families, he surely wouldn’t spare some greedy doctors.

Prince Simon gave a cold laugh. "I’m right, aren’t I? I don’t care about others. I only ask: are you, Doctor Oscar, willing to set aside your pride and teach everything you know to your students?"

Cold beads of sweat appeared on Doctor Oscar’s forehead. Prince Simon’s question was like a sword pointed at his chest. But after a flurry of thoughts, he still couldn’t bring himself to say yes or no.

Seeing his hesitation, Prince Simon picked up the three medical books from the desk and said, "Since you care so much about tradition, I’ll take back these books. If you’re stingy with your knowledge, then I’ll be stingy with mine. When you’ve made up your mind, I’ll return them. If you can’t decide, then someone else should take over the academy."

By the end of his sentence, Prince Simon’s tone had turned even harsher.

Doctor Oscar’s face grew pale. It was clear Prince Simon was forcing him to choose sides, either follow the old ways or embrace the reform.

After a moment of hesitation, he said, "Please give me me some few days to think about it carefully, Your Highness."

Prince Simon nodded and signalled his Minister to leave with him.

Once outside, the Minister asked, "Your Highness, I’m afraid Doctor Oscar may not be able to get past this. After all, medicine has always been passed from father to son, or master to student, with strict rules about how many students one can have."

"If he can’t get past it, then I’ll find someone who can. If the reward is high enough, someone will step up. I refuse to believe we can’t break these outdated customs," Prince Simon said, clearly frustrated.

He wasn’t against honouring teachers. What he opposed was the creation of exclusive circles maintained by old-fashioned thinking. These attitudes had led to many valuable skills being lost over generations. People poisoned by this mindset would rather take their skills to the grave than share them.

Now, Prince Simon wanted to break this cycle and give everyone who wanted to learn a fair chance. Otherwise, his efforts to build schools would be meaningless.

The Minister gave a bitter smile and said, "Physicians are only one problem. Your Highness, have you heard of the Nelson family who is in charge of Wilmington?"

"Wilmington? You mean the one in Oakridge?" Prince Simon asked.

"Exactly. The Nelson family has been in control of Wilmington for generations. The true guardians of Religion. Every generation’s family head is granted the title ’Duke for Perpetuating the Sage.’ The current head is Nelson Willard," the Minister explained. "If we’re talking about nobility, the Nelson family is the most prestigious in the Eldorian Empire."

Prince Simon glanced at the Minister in surprise. Clearly, He brought up the Nelson family for a reason. Until now, Prince Simon still didn’t know exactly which academic philosophy the Minster followed. He smiled and said, "I had almost forgotten the Eldorian Empire’s top noble clan still resides within our borders. No wonder the scholars in Brambleford are always so stubborn, always chanting about Religious orthodoxy. But since Chief Minister Baldwin brought them up, are you suggesting I visit the Nelson family and ask for their support?"