Life of Being a Crown Prince in France - Chapter 1121: 1027: A Legend in Medical History (Part 1)

Chapter 1121: Chapter 1027: A Legend in Medical History (Part 1)

Leon and the others simultaneously turned to look at Romano.

The unfamiliar young man, following the gaze of the crowd, smiled: “Ah, you are indeed here, Mr. Sapina.

“I went to your home, but your father said you had… ah, stepped out. Father Carlo suggested I come here to find you.”

Romano Sapina was secretly delighted to see the visitor, hurriedly stepped forward, and greeted: “I’m so sorry to waste your precious time, Baron Viedon. You came to see me for…”

“Your ‘Preparatory Physician’ application has been approved.” Viedon took out a document and handed it over, “After completing these registrations, you’ll be the Preparatory Physician of Meidion Parish.”

The term “Preparatory Physician” is the official name for France’s version of barefoot doctors.

Sapina received the registration papers, his hands trembling slightly with excitement: “This is… thank you so very much!”

He had only applied with a trial mindset and passed the evaluation; unexpectedly, he was indeed selected.

Baron Viedon smiled, waving his hand: “No need to thank me. Your reading, logic, and operational scores are the highest in the village, and your family has a spare house, making you the most suitable candidate.”

Leon looked at Viedon and softly asked his brother-in-law: “Romano, who is this gentleman?”

Sapina quickly introduced everyone: “Oh, this is Baron Viedon, from the Faculty of Medicine at Reims University.”

Leon and his family all greeted Viedon. In this era, the social status of doctors was quite high.

Actually, Viedon had not yet formally graduated. He needed to bring out Preparatory Physicians from Meidion Parish, then intern for two more years at Reims University Hospital to obtain his physician’s license—a new regulation implemented last year.

However, over the past year, new treatment theories have emerged in large numbers in France’s medical field, and drugs and medical equipment have undergone significant transformations compared to before, so medical students did not mind the extended graduation time, as learning these new things required considerable time.

Leon pulled Sapina aside and asked, “Just now the gentleman mentioned you passed something called ‘Preparatory Physician’?”

“It’s part of the ‘National Village and Town Medical System’ promoted by the Crown Prince.” Rochefort said from the side, “Mr. Sapina will receive medical training and establish a small clinic in the parish, where villagers can receive free consultations.”

Viedon added, “You’ll still have to pay a small fee for medicine, but it’s much cheaper than in the city.”

Leon widened his eyes: “Are you saying we can receive free consultations in the future?”

Previously, Meidion Village had no doctor, and when villagers fell ill, they had to go 20 kilometers to Korni Town to see a doctor; each visit cost around 4 francs.

So unless their illness was life-threatening, everyone chose to cope at home.

And now they could find a doctor without leaving the village, and it was free!

“That’s right.” Viedon nodded with a respectful expression, “This is a gift from His Highness for all French people.”

“Wonderful, truly wonderful!” Leon and his wife exchanged excited nods, and simultaneously crossed themselves repeatedly, “Praise the Crown Prince. Thank you!”

“May Jesus bless the Crown Prince.”

After their emotions calmed slightly, Leon looked at his brother-in-law with a different gaze: “Romano, you’re really going to become a doctor?”

“No, no, just a Preparatory Physician.”

“That’s still quite impressive.” Leon then remembered something, “Wait, if consultations are free, how do you intend to make a living?”

“The government subsidizes me with 12 francs a month. I only need to consult for 4 hours a day, and the rest of the time I can still manage the farm.”

In truth, Sapina hadn’t mentioned that what he cared about most was that, according to regulations, one could apply for the Faculty of Medicine at Reims University after serving as a Preparatory Physician for eight years— with full tuition support from the government.

At that point, he could indeed leave this small village to explore the vast world beyond.

“12 francs? That’s quite good!” Leon nodded repeatedly, then suddenly furrowed his brow, “Romano, why haven’t you spoken about such a good opportunity before?”

“The notice was posted at the village entrance two months ago,” Sapina whispered, “In fact, Dom also submitted an application.”

Dom glanced at his father, “Father Carlo promoted the Preparatory Physician program several times, but you always found it a waste of time and didn’t attend…”

Leon awkwardly touched his nose, suddenly feeling enlightened, and decisively slapped his eldest son’s shoulder: “Dom, perhaps Mr. Rochefort was right; perhaps you should go out and see the world.”

“You agree for me to go to Paris?”

“I agree. Go ahead. Look, even your uncle has become a doctor; perhaps you might actually become a Tax Officer.”

“That’s great!”

Sapina quietly corrected: “That is, a Preparatory Physician…”

Seeing the dispute resolved, Rochefort bid farewell to Leon’s family and hurried to the next village to sell the “All-Purpose Flying Car.”

Meanwhile, Viedon pressed Sapina to start the training: “Then let’s begin the training. Where are you planning to set up your clinic?”

“At my house.” The latter replied halfway through with some discouragement, “But my father is not in a good mood, so that might be a problem…”

Leon immediately stepped forward, “I will help persuade our uncle.”

That afternoon, in the disordered living room of the Sapina family, Viedon spread out various medical materials on the table, finally handing over a white canvas-covered “Preparatory Physician Manual” solemnly to his “student”:

“You must keep this book safe. It will be a crucial asset for you in the many years to come.

“Moreover, it is a rare classic in medicine, a book that even my teacher said he benefited greatly from after reading.”

Yes, this is the second edition of the “Preparatory Physician Manual,” with substantial revisions made to the diagnoses and treatment methods by the expert group from the French Health Bureau. Of the dozen or so listed medications, 70% have undergone double-blind experiments to confirm their efficacy.

It is the first medical book in all of Europe to truly break free from the “witchcraft” attributes, destined to bring profound influence to the entire medical community.

Viedon further cautioned: “Remember, you must carefully preserve this book and never lend it to outsiders at will. If you lose it, you’ll be in serious trouble.”

France had invested heavily in completing the second edition of the “Preparatory Physician Manual,” naturally needing to prevent theft by other countries.

Of course, such public books cannot remain confidential forever, but the process must be delayed as much as possible.

And by the time other countries obtain this edition of the “Manual,” France should also be able to issue a new version with more refined content.

France will always lead the latest trends in medicine.

Sapina eagerly absorbed endless medical knowledge, even sleeping with the “Manual” at night.

He was already a quick learner, and under Viedon’s guidance, he rapidly made progress.

Little did he expect that merely a week later, he would encounter an opportunity to showcase his skills.