Chapter 2670 - 2603: Going Together

Director Xiao favored Imperial Doctors Lu and Zheng, firstly because their medical skills are quite exceptional within the Imperial Hospital.

Imperial Doctor Zheng is adept at handling external injuries, while Imperial Doctor Lu has significant research on internal ailments. With the emperor and these accompanying ministers and nobles, they are sufficient.

Secondly, they are in their prime age. Considering the ages of the doctors in the Imperial Hospital, both of them are just the right age.

At least they are more suitable than him and Imperial Doctor Liu. They are appropriate to accompany the military.

As for Zhou Man, Director Xiao did consider her, mainly because her medical skills are truly outstanding. But after comprehensive consideration, he still thinks she should stay in the capital.

But if she volunteers...

Director Xiao glanced at Imperial Doctors Lu and Zheng, and after a moment of deliberation, said: "This matter is not solely up to me. I need to ask His Majesty."

Manbao thought about it and realized she wasn’t particularly close with the emperor, but she had a good relationship with the crown prince, so she said: "Why don’t you also casually ask for the crown prince’s opinion?"

Director Xiao shot her a stern look and said: "You should reduce private interactions with the Eastern Palace... Never mind, I won’t interfere with you. Just wait, this isn’t something that can be decided quickly."

He remembered that Zhou Man originally got into the Imperial Hospital through the Eastern Palace. Everyone knew she was the crown prince’s person, making the distinction between public and private interaction minor.

Manbao anxiously said: "How can we not hurry? I have another matter to discuss with you."

Imperial Doctors Lu and Zheng quietly stood up and made space for her to speak more comfortably with Director Xiao.

Neither of them was particularly keen on accompanying the expedition.

For other ministers and the emperor marching out, even without merits, hardships will be recognized, and merits rewarded upon return. But in the Imperial Hospital, the chances of this happening are quite small.

If there are no issues, it’s just tiring, with a safe return being a great fortune;

But if there are issues, the chances of being implicated are high. Even with a benevolent emperor, if not beheading, demotion or dismissal is very possible.

Manbao sat beside Director Xiao and said: "I want to bring a batch of students from the Medical Bureau along."

Director Xiao was aghast, "What?"

Manbao said: "The students majoring in wound medicine always lack practical experience, and this is an opportunity."

"There are never enough military doctors in the army. Some tents don’t even have a military doctor. On the front line, the shortage will be more severe. Going there provides an opportunity not just for the students but also for the soldiers in the army."

Director Xiao fell into deep thought.

Manbao urged: "Director, our students at the very least can perform basic tasks like suturing, bandaging, and stopping bleeding. For wounded soldiers from the front line, if the bleeding is stopped, half of their life returns."

Director Xiao pondered aloud: "Taking so many people requires a lot of resources."

"Request from the Ministry of War," Manbao said: "This expedition is to save their people; those materials should be provided by them, and they should negotiate with the Ministry of Revenue for them."

Manbao was ambitious, "If this task is done well, afterwards we can revisit the matter of military doctors coming to our Medical Bureau for training."

Imperial Doctor Liu couldn’t help but interject, "If military doctors from all over the world can have the opportunity to study at our Medical Bureau, then in the future, our department won’t be one that can be easily abolished."

Since the independence of the Medical Bureau, except for the cowpox method, there hasn’t been a major contribution, requiring considerable funds from the Ministry of Revenue each season.

Director Xiao, though not expressing it openly, is concerned. In the previous dynasty, after the Medical Bureau was established, it was abolished after a few years. Without accomplishments and demonstrating its role, the Medical Bureau of Great Jin could also face cancellation.

This indeed was an opportunity.

Director Xiao was finally persuaded by Zhou Man and immediately got up, saying: "Then, Imperial Doctor Zhou, draft the list of those accompanying the expedition together with Imperial Doctors Liu and Lu, I’ll go find the Ministry of War... No, I need to see His Majesty first."

Director Xiao didn’t even eat his meal and went straight to the emperor.

The emperor, having just calmed the empress, had only taken a couple of bites when Gu Zhong informed him that Director Xiao was seeking an audience.

The emperor had to set aside his bowl and chopsticks, leaving his meal to meet Director Xiao.

Director Xiao came to the emperor to ask, "Your Majesty, which imperial doctors do you want to accompany you?"

Emperor: "... You are quite dedicated."

This morning, he had just negotiated the matter of personally leading an expedition, and now he was already considering which doctors to bring along. Deciding on these matters a day or two later couldn’t hurt, right? Not even allowing him his midday meal?

Director Xiao pretended not to hear the emperor’s implied meaning and said: "Your Majesty, I initially favored Imperial Doctors Lu and Zheng, but Imperial Doctor Zhou volunteered, and she suggested bringing a batch of students from the Medical Bureau to the front line to treat the wounded."

Director Xiao paused and then said: "Therefore, my recommendation is, if you are not opposed, then bring all three along. Let Imperial Doctor Lu stay by your side, while Imperial Doctors Zhou and Zheng lead the students to the front line to treat the wounded."

This was what Director Xiao thought on his way.

With Zhou Man’s character, she surely wouldn’t stay quietly by the emperor’s side, and if she ran around without anyone to attend to the emperor, how would that work?

The emperor sat up straighter, "Bring along the students from the Medical Bureau?"

"Yes, mainly students learning wound medicine. I’ve already directed Imperial Doctor Zhou and Imperial Doctors Liu and others to draft a list."

The emperor got up, paced around the room twice, and remembered Ashina’s previous memo, stating that with Zhou Man accompanying the army, the number of casualties was significantly lower than before.

He became animated, eventually nodding in agreement, "Fine, then let all three accompany. Draft a list of necessary resources and hand it over to the Ministry of Revenue for preparation."

Director Xiao, however, nodded and said: "Your Majesty, shouldn’t the list be given to the Ministry of War?"

The emperor listened and, after deeply looking at him, said: "Giving it to the Ministry of War is acceptable."

Director Xiao received confirmation and happily bowed out.

The emperor was also quite pleased, excitedly returning to find the empress and crown prince, saying to the mother and son: "I believe this time we will achieve a significant victory."

The empress smiled and served him a bowl of soup, asking: "What has given Your Majesty such sudden confidence?"

The emperor said: "Director Xiao suggested Zhou Man and others bring students from the Medical Bureau to accompany."

The emperor mentioned this and looked at the crown prince, "By the way, you’re still overseeing the Medical Bureau, right?"

The crown prince said: "The affairs are managed by Director Xiao; I’m merely bearing a title in vain."

The emperor nodded, "During the previous dynasty’s eastern expedition, the army suffered heavy casualties. This time, with more medical personnel, the number of wounded soldiers should decrease."

He said, "During the Western Expedition, Ashina mentioned in his memo, although no specific numbers were provided, he indeed praised Zhou Man’s accompanying the army which saved many soldiers who otherwise couldn’t be saved, significantly reducing casualties."

The empress said: "Then prepare more resources, doctors need supplies to treat illnesses. It wouldn’t do to reach the front line only to find shortages."

"I’ve already instructed Director Xiao to draft a list."

The empress said: "Your Majesty, have someone send me a copy later. I’ll see if there’s anything the harem can prepare as a gesture of support, to share Your Majesty’s worries."

The emperor was deeply moved, feeling the empress’s wholehearted support even after a couple of playful pinches, indeed his admirable empress.