Chapter 2701: So Frustrating

“What if there’s cooperation with local medical institutes?” Manbao sat up and said to Bai Shan, “Zheng Gu told me that the development of local medical institutes is very restricted, and the common people find it hard to trust them. They also have to compete with medical halls and pharmacies for patients, which makes them very unpopular. Until they gain trust, the doctors in these institutes are quite idle.”

“Moreover, even if the local medical institutes take root, they can collaborate with the garrison.” Manbao had been pondering this issue these past few days.

Currently, the army doesn’t have much money to support military doctors, but they can cooperate with local medical institutes, just like how Governor Niu snatched doctors from local medical halls.

Ahem, of course, the army cannot snatch doctors from the Imperial Medical Institute. Either way, they have to be paid. By offering double salaries and setting some rules, both responsibility and benefit would ensure they go.

But…

“But your Imperial Medical Institute hasn’t established clinics in border towns yet, has it?” Bai Shan said.

The establishment of medical institutes also requires certain conditions. The institutes already set up are mostly in counties with favorable conditions, mainly concentrated in the Central Plains. More remote areas, like Shu and Jiangnan, don’t have them yet, let alone the remote border areas.

Manbao’s shoulders slumped. “Yeah, it’s because we lack both money and people. Talents need to be cultivated gradually, and we don’t have enough trained people right now.”

Bai Shan comforted her by embracing her gently, patting her shoulder with a smile: “This isn’t urgent. It’s not something that can be achieved overnight. The Imperial Medical Institute has only been open for a few years, and the first real batch of students will graduate next year.”

That’s true. Those assigned to local medical institutes now have only studied for two or three years. When the first batch graduates next year, and another three years later, when the first batch from the therapeutic department graduates, that will be the real beginning of the Imperial Medical Institute.

Manbao managed to suppress her anxiety, lying down on the bed. “Alright, I will wait patiently.”

There’s no other way even if I don’t want to wait.

Bai Shan: “However, your Imperial Medical Institute going on a campaign with the army this time is a very good thing. The Emperor and the esteemed ministers praise you highly, and if nothing unexpected happens, you’ll receive rewards upon your return.”

Now, as the eastern campaign’s outcome remains unclear, and it cannot yet be determined who is to blame, the number of wounded soldiers saved by the Imperial Medical Institute is documented. The death rate of the wounded has indeed decreased significantly, so the institute has undoubtedly achieved great merit.

Even if the eastern campaign fails, no blame would be placed on them.

Bai Shan continued, “If you wish to train military doctors, you can mention it after this campaign is over.”

Manbao noted it in her heart and fell asleep peacefully.

The next morning, the couple went to the City Lord’s Mansion to attend a temporary court meeting.

Because there were few ministers accompanying the army, Bai Shan and Lord Fang assumed almost all the Central Secretariat’s duties by the Emperor’s side, so they had the qualifications to be in line.

He stood diagonally behind Zhou Man.

The Emperor had rested well the previous night and immediately asked, “I plan to attack Baiyan City and Anshi City, who is willing to go?”

Ashina, Li Si, Xue Bei, and others stepped forward, saying in unison, “We are willing.”

The Emperor nodded in satisfaction but did not make a decision immediately. Instead, he asked Bai Shan about the supplies and military equipment.

Bai Shan answered each question. When he didn’t know the answer, Lord Fang would respond. Besides this, they also paid attention to directions from the court as members of the Central Secretariat.

The Emperor turned to Zhou Man and asked, “How much medicine does the army have left?”

Manbao stepped forward and answered, “Enough for eight hundred people.”

She paused and then said, “Your Majesty, the third batch of medicine was supposed to arrive three days ago, but it hasn’t been delivered yet.”

The Emperor then instructed State Duke Zhao, “Urge the Ministry of War’s logistics.”

State Duke Zhao: “…Understood.”

The Emperor then sought his opinion, “What does Zhao Qing think about launching a simultaneous attack on Baiyan City and Anshi City now?”

“The troops are full of morale at this time. I believe we can proceed.”

However, some opposed, saying, “Your Majesty, I think it would be unwise to rush. Attacking both cities simultaneously puts immense pressure on our forces. If one side fails and the other cannot assist in time, it will lead to overall collapse.”

Li Si countered, “What are you afraid of? They’re just cowards. Does Great Jin fear them? Your Majesty, I am willing to lead a troop to attack Baiyan City and will not fall to the point of needing reinforcements.”

“Hmph, overconfidence leads to defeat!”

“Who do you think will be defeated? How dare you curse Great Jin to fail.”

The ministers: …

The Emperor halted their argument and asked General Ashina, “What does Ashina think?”

General Ashina pondered for a moment before saying, “Your Majesty, I believe a simultaneous attack is possible.”

He continued, “Although attacking both targets simultaneously is highly pressured, dividing the troops also cuts off their mutual support routes.”

Li Si nodded in agreement repeatedly.

The Emperor began to ponder. Although Ashina was of Turk descent, his military campaigns were always cautiously steady. Since he suggested dividing the troops, it indicated a high chance of success.

Thus, the Emperor decided and announced to everyone, “Then let’s proceed with dividing the troops for attack.”

“Qibi Heli, Li Si,”

“Here!”

“I order you two to lead ten thousand troops to capture Baiyan City…”

The main camp would then advance towards Anshi City.

Everyone acknowledged, stepped back, and left.

Manbao was about to return to the medical tent when Heli called out to her.

He looked at Zhou Man with a grin and said, “Lord Zhou, could you accompany us to Baiyan City?”

Manbao replied, “I will send someone to follow you to Baiyan City, as I must accompany the Imperial entourage, right?”

Heli retorted, “But there’s Imperial Doctor Lu with the Emperor, and Baiyan City has a unique location. It will take much longer for Anshi City to engage in battle. The Emperor will indeed inspect Baiyan City. Lord Zhou going in advance can ensure the Emperor’s safety.”

Manbao began to contemplate and after a moment said, “I can’t make this decision on my own and have to ask Minister Zhao.”

After all, he was the chief steward of the campaign.

Heli said, “I will go with you.”

When State Duke Zhao heard Heli wanted to take people, he flatly refused.

Heli then frowned, “Although I don’t fear death, I have a lot of soldiers under my command. Are Ashina’s foreign soldiers human while mine are not?”

State Duke Zhao responded, “Why argue with Ashina? The Imperial Medical Institute did provide military doctors for you.”

“Can they compare with Lord Zhou?” He said, “Lord Zhou has been following Ashina the entire time; isn’t it now my turn?”

Although the students from the Imperial Medical Institute aren’t bad in skill, at least better than previous military doctors, in terms of cure rates, Zhou Man still ranks the highest.

Why should Ashina get all the advantages?

Grabbing State Duke Zhao’s hand, he declared, “If you don’t assign her to me, we shall present our arguments to the Emperor.”

State Duke Zhao: ….

He pulled his hand back, helplessly looked at Zhou Man, “Alright, alright, Lord Zhou, what do you think?”

Manbao gave him a wide grin and said obediently, “I listen to the Chief Steward.”

Thus, Heli grabbed State Duke Zhao’s hand again, “Let’s go meet the Emperor.”

State Duke Zhao: So frustrating, wanting not only to hit Qibi Heli but wondering what to do if he wants to hit Zhou Man even more?