The Lucky Farmgirl

Chapter 1699 - 1674: Enrollment

The autumn chill was growing, occasionally hinting at the cold of winter. Under these circumstances, friends and relatives from the capital escorted the Cheng Family and Old Master Bai out of the city. After watching them go far, the Zhou family dispersed to attend to their own tasks.

Old Zhou led Zhou Dalang and his eldest daughter-in-law to Pu Village to oversee their tenants fertilizing the wheat before winter set in, while also watching the construction of their manor bit by bit.

This manor was being built larger and prettier than their own house, naturally, at a larger expense.

Even though hiring craftsmen was cheaper this year due to the drought, it still cost quite a bit.

Luckily, the manor indeed looked quite beautiful. Manbao selected a bunch of flowers and plants from both home and outside to give to Zhou Dalang for planting, and she had support from Liu Huan, Yin Huo, and others.

Even Mingda and Changyu, knowing she wanted to decorate her manor, brought two pots of flowers from the Imperial Garden to give her. Everyone knew she loved flowers, especially rare ones she hadn’t seen before.

When Manbao started wearing layered winter clothes to enter the palace, she heard that her manor had been completed. Unfortunately, she couldn’t visit it because she was too busy.

Even on off days, she wasn’t really free. The Imperial Hospital had been completed, and the Crown Prince officially announced recruitment under the auspices of the Eastern Palace.

Since the news broke in June, nearly four months had passed, and healers from across the country had arrived early in the capital city.

Some brought their own descendants for exams, while others packed their bags to take the exam themselves.

However, before the exams, the Imperial Hospital first posted a notice outlining the requirements for students.

The Imperial Hospital didn’t limit applicants’ previous status but required them to be of good family background. Graduates must work at various medical institutions (including the Imperial Hospital and the Imperial Hospital) for fifteen years. After fifteen years, they could choose to leave government-run facilities or remain voluntarily.

Every year, the Imperial Hospital holds exams, and only those who pass can advance to the next level. Those who fail stay at their current level, and anyone who fails more than three times will be advised to withdraw, then must serve in a medical institution for the same period of time as their studies.

For instance, if you study at the Imperial Hospital for five years, you must serve at a medical institution for five years to repay.

Of course, there are exceptions, such as a sudden family crisis or the death of someone close, where the service requirements may be relaxed.

The notice not only had requirements for students but also for the Imperial Hospital.

The Imperial Hospital must provide food, lodging, and study materials for enrolled students. After graduation, students have six months to freely apply to medical institutions. Only those who haven’t found a host institution after six months will be forcibly allocated by the Imperial Hospital.

However, the crowd gathered below the notice board wasn’t paying much attention to this clause; they were all focused on the admission subjects and details next to it.

"Only eighty students for acupuncture studies? That’s too few!"

"Acupuncture isn’t too bad. Physical therapy, such a huge system, is only admitting a hundred; that’s way too few."

"Pediatrics is only twenty students."

"Massage and incantation prohibition are also only twenty students."

"Seriously, who would study massage once they’re in the Imperial Hospital?"

"You look down on massage?"

"Sores and swellings are only forty students."

"I want to study physical therapy!"

"That’s quite a dream, the requirements for physical therapy are the highest. Do they require seven years of study?"

"Eight years, actually. Didn’t you see they’ve included an additional year for internships at the end?"

"Alas, studying physical therapy requires literacy, while not all fields do."

Director Xiao, standing above them, listened to everyone’s discussion, his temple throbbing. He turned to Zhou Man and said, "I initially required literacy for all fields, but you and the Crown Prince intervened, so now only physical therapy necessitates literacy. Don’t you realize how much time we’ll waste teaching literacy in this way?"

Manbao replied, "Obviously we need to give those who can’t read or write—or have limited literacy—some opportunities. Besides, aren’t there exams? While we offer chances, the exams are fair."

The Imperial Hospital exams aren’t just written tests. Some students can’t read or can’t write even if they can read. Therefore, the exam consists of various components, and only after compiling all scores are students selected.

Manbao said, "Some families simply can’t afford education, but it doesn’t mean they’re not smart. Medicine also relies on talent. Although people with talent may have shaky foundations initially, they can catch up later."

She smiled at Director Xiao and said, "You’ve mentioned, studying medicine is a lifelong pursuit. We can’t invalidate three to five years now and disregard the following thirty to fifty years."

Director Xiao muttered, "Thirty to fifty years? How long does one even live?"

But he agreed with Zhou Man, as did the other doctors in the Imperial Hospital.

The importance of talent was visible, just in comparing themselves to Zhou Man.

Even Imperial Doctor Lu, who internally resisted admitting it, had to acknowledge Zhou Man’s talents far surpassed theirs. This is why she could stand alongside them at such a young age.

The notice was posted, and they began waiting for the exams. All these doctors served as examiners.

Manbao stood above, observing, and seeing few women among the crowd, she sighed softly and returned.

This admission round didn’t distinguish between genders, meaning girls could also apply. However, there were stipulations on numbers. After the Empress spoke, Manbao could argue and set the ratio at 7:3.

Seeing Manbao’s gloomy mood persist for several days, Mr. Zhuang smiled and advised her, "You can’t expect to become successful overnight. These things must be approached slowly."

Manbao remained displeased.

While eating fruit, Bai Shan remarked, "You should worry about not being able to recruit even thirty percent female students."

He said, "Glancing at your list, there are only twelve girls currently registered for the exam, but you’re planning to admit ninety female students this time, right?"

Startled, Manbao was jolted out of her anger and frustration, asking worriedly, "What should I do? Although the Empress has asked the capital’s authorities to promote, few girls are registering."

Bai Shan scratched his head and asked, "Why don’t we hire people to beat drums and gongs for promotion in various places?"

Manbao considered and, finding no other solution, nodded.

Bai Shan said, "For such matters, we should visit Senior Brother Tang. He’s a local official, and if he supports us as a backer, the citizens will be more trusting."

He tapped the bowl in front of Manbao and said, "Finish eating, then we can visit Senior Brother Tang."

Mr. Zhuang: ...So, they still had to spend money promoting the Imperial Hospital?

Watching how happy Manbao was, Mr. Zhuang silently refrained from saying anything.

The two finished breakfast and went to find Bai Erlang, who was still lying in bed.

Bai Shan knocked on the door, and seeing Bai Erlang didn’t wake up, he couldn’t resist entering. Seeing Bai Erlang wrapped in blankets like a cocoon, he couldn’t resist reaching out to pull him, "Why aren’t you out of bed yet?"