Chapter 2671 - 2604: Willing to Go

Manbao’s first suggested name was Zhou Liru.

Imperial Doctor Liu glanced and couldn’t help but say, "Isn’t Zhou Liru learning physical therapy and acupuncture?"

Manbao said, "She is also very interested in surgery, and previously when she was in the Western Regions, her suturing skills greatly improved. This time, bringing her along, she would definitely be willing to go."

Imperial Doctor Liu didn’t understand how the Zhou Family was raising their daughter; how could she be... so unique?

Imperial Doctor Liu could only let her add it.

Next were the students set to graduate next year, selected among those interested in becoming surgeons.

Not many, only nine, and even fewer next year, only seven.

After a brief discussion, Zhou Man and they decided to bring all sixteen.

Manbao, discontented with the small number, said, "Why not bring a few more? In the female class I led before, because it involved cesarean sections, their suturing skills are quite good as well."

Imperial Doctor Liu replied, "They are different from other students; their main study is on gynecological diseases, and they are all young women. Why not go to the Imperial Hospital and ask them directly; those willing to go can join, and those not willing can be left behind."

Like Director Xiao, Imperial Doctor Liu didn’t plan on these female students accompanying the army, but if Zhou Man and Zhou Liru are going, then their going or not going wouldn’t affect reputations.

Manbao nodded. "I’ll go; this way, they won’t be nervous."

Manbao is now just a Doctor at the Imperial Hospital, earning a modest salary, and comes here to give three or four classes every ten days.

She rarely personally manages the students anymore, and when accompanying the emperor on expeditions, it’s possible she won’t appear to teach for two months, during which time Imperial Doctor Liu often substitutes her.

After all, Manbao’s courses at the Imperial Hospital are acupuncture and gynecological diseases. For the former, Imperial Doctor Liu has some research and can teach the students, while for the latter, he is more proficient; even Manbao sometimes asks him for advice.

However, even though she comes less often, the students are close to her, especially this year.

Unlike Liu Sanniang, who already had a strong foundation when she entered the Imperial Hospital, and being from the palace, she smoothly graduated after less than two years at the hospital and was promoted to medical assistant.

Zheng Shao, Zheng Gu, and other students with similar pre-existing foundations are different. They were divided into classes the second year after the Imperial Hospital’s founding, starting different courses. Thus, after graduating in the last two or three years, they have gradually taken positions at various local medical offices.

They entered the Imperial Hospital with zero foundations; some only learned all the words after entering, previously knowing only few characters, and due to various reasons, only knowing some medicinal materials and basic medical principles.

Moreover, they are smarter than average, able to quickly remember information.

But regardless of intelligence, without a solid foundation, after entering the Imperial Hospital, they still have to learn step by step.

Like Zhou Liru, who after leaving the Imperial Hospital for a year, returned not having fallen behind on her studies but was even transferred to the physical therapy class to learn therapeutic techniques with other classmates, keeping up with her studies.

According to the timeline, this batch will graduate at the end of this year, and by spring next year, they’ll be assigned to work in various places.

There are only two female teachers in the Imperial Hospital, one is Liu Sanniang, who was once their classmate, and the other is Zhou Man, with all other teachers being male. They wish to cultivate relations with Zhou Man in hopes of remaining in the capital.

And there are two places to stay in the capital: the Imperial Hospital and the Imperial Medical Bureau.

So when Zhou Man entered the classroom, she brought up the matter, asking, "I wonder if you are willing to go; if so, take out a piece of paper and write your name, followed by the word ’willing.’ If not willing, write ’unwilling.’"

The students thought briefly, gritted their teeth, stamped their feet, and all wrote willing.

Manbao was stunned upon receiving the papers; all nineteen classmates were willing?

She slightly raised her eyebrows, smiled, and said, "You are all great, but accompanying the army on an expedition will be quite hard. Although military doctors don’t have to go to the front lines, if there’s an intense battle that can’t be resolved quickly, the military doctors will have to set up medical tents upfront to rescue the wounded more conveniently, so you’d better think carefully."

She continued, "Going or not going will not significantly affect your future official career, but if you withdraw midway, you are considered deserters. According to the Ministry of War’s regulations, deserters are to be executed. I don’t want my students making such a mistake."

The students exchanged glances, looking at each other; seeing no one retreat, even those with doubts bit their lips and agreed, not withdrawing.

Manbao slowly folded these papers together, rolled them up, and put them in her bosom safely. She nodded and smiled, saying, "You are all commendable; today, I will remain in the Imperial Hospital’s office until sunset, giving you all a chance to change your minds. After sunset, the decision is bound, and tomorrow morning, I will submit the list to the Ministry of War, leaving no room for change."

Manbao quietly looked at them, turned, and left.

Everyone watched Zhou Man walk away, then immediately became lively, "Did you write you were willing to go?"

"Yes, and you?"

"Me too."

"So, are we really going to accompany the army on expedition? Does that mean working among a bunch of smelly men?"

"It’s not like we haven’t treated smelly men before; just don’t let Mr. Zhou hear this, as the teacher said, patients are just patients; even though there are distinctions between men and women, we must try to keep an open mind and just treat them as patients."

"Really going, huh."

"You still have time to regret if you want."

"Who, who said I wanted to regret? I just didn’t expect everyone to choose willing."

Manbao returned to the office, took out that stack of papers, and sat in the chair, speechless.

Beside her, Xiao Tan Taiyi was drinking tea; seeing her silent demeanor since coming back, he couldn’t help but ask, "What’s wrong, Doctor Zhou?"

He smiled and said, "I remember Doctor Zhou doesn’t have classes today, why are you at the Imperial Hospital?"

Oh, he forgot, Xiao Tan Taiyi was on duty at the Imperial Hospital today, so he didn’t yet know about the Emperor’s personal expedition. Thus, Manbao looked up at him and said, "His Majesty is going to personally lead an expedition, we are to accompany the emperor on a journey..."

Xiao Tan Taiyi was dumbfounded, almost dropping the teacup from his hand.

He swallowed, involuntarily asking, "Do, do you have my name on the list?"

Manbao shook her head, replying, "No, Director Xiao mentioned me, Imperial Doctor Lu, and Imperial Doctor Zheng’s names."

Xiao Tan Taiyi took a deep breath, then felt it was too obvious, quickly saying, "This is because Director Xiao values Doctor Zhou; please take care of yourself."

Possibly feeling the topic was not good, he immediately changed subjects, asking, "Did Lord Zhou choose several students to go? Would you like me to help with the students’ tasks?"

Manbao sighed and said, "Students who plan to pursue a career in surgery don’t have the option; all must go, but in the female class I’m teaching, they have all applied to go."

So should this task encourage them to go or persuade them not to?

Xiao Tan Taiyi remained silent, feeling he was too inadequate, falling behind the students, and sighed, "They are all good kids, full of a pure heart."