The Lucky Farmgirl

Chapter 2114 - 2089: Discussion

Manbao sat in the chair, holding a cup of herbal tea and took a sip, feeling very satisfied, "Doctor Xiao, you really have a lot of good stuff here. These roasted red beans are just right, very fragrant."

Doctor Xiao clasped his hands in front of his abdomen, waited until she had drunk two sips, and then said, "Tell me, what brings you here?"

Manbao chuckled, "Look at how Doctor Xiao speaks. Can’t I just come to see you for no reason?"

Doctor Xiao raised his eyelids to glance at her but didn’t reply.

She had just taken three days off, yet on the second day, she was running to find him. To say it was for no reason, even with just a little thought, seemed impossible.

Manbao put down the teacup, sat upright, and said, "I do have something to discuss with Doctor Xiao."

Doctor Xiao showed a "that figures" expression and gestured for her to continue.

Manbao said, "I want to ask about the method of smallpox inoculation."

Doctor Xiao had seen her earlier proposal, not only had he seen it, but the emperor had summoned him and Imperial Doctor Liu to inquire whether this method was feasible.

Zhou Man had written clearly in the proposal that if it was as she described, smallpox would gradually weaken in virulence, then it might be possible, but...

"Judging from the current spread of smallpox, there is no sign of its virulence weakening."

"That’s because it’s transmitted from person to person. What we need to do is use the already healed pustules to transmit it again, maybe even two or three times..." she explained, "The first person to resist smallpox would have pustules with weakened virulence."

Doctor Xiao thought for a moment, then shook his head, "This is merely your guess without solid evidence. Lives are at stake; we cannot act on assumptions."

Manbao understood that too, as those were things she had read in books. Teacher Mo had said they passed verification, but that was in that time and space, not in this world.

Moreover, Manbao herself wanted to verify it, so she said, "Then let’s find someone to test it."

Doctor Xiao was startled, not expecting her to have such audacity, "The emperor has already sent inquiries to Anxi. If the Western Regions truly have this method, we can send someone from the Imperial Hospital to investigate. But without even having a slight possibility, we cannot test it on people..."

Manbao said, "The journey to Anxi is long and fraught with dangers. Who knows when the reply will arrive? Moreover, they don’t understand medicine. What if they miss or neglect this method during inquiries?"

She added, "Sir, see how many died from smallpox this time? Some elders mentioned that losing so few people was due to the nation’s prosperity, as the court bore most people’s medical expenses, otherwise..."

Otherwise, who knows how many would die without the money to afford medicine or see doctors?

She said, "This illness is so troublesome. Even if some survive, they are left with pockmarks on their faces and bodies, affecting their future marriage prospects and becoming akin to disability. I wish to find preventive measures quickly."

Doctor Xiao shook his head, "Why hurry? Your life is still long. I am much older and don’t rush."

Manbao merely looked at him quietly.

Doctor Xiao waved his hand, "Alright, alright, I will mention this to the emperor. Let’s see if we can get a few prisoners sentenced to execution from the Ministry of Justice’s cells for testing."

Manbao curiously asked, "Will they escape execution?"

"No," replied Doctor Xiao, "But they can be spared death by beheading and instead face hanging."

Even the death penalty has different forms, and beheading is considered the most cruel. Separation of body and soul, even for criminals, is brutal as it is said the soul cannot reincarnate after death.

Manbao asked, "What if there are no prisoners sentenced to beheading, or if they refuse?"

"Then we can only choose those sentenced to hanging, although then they won’t die," Doctor Xiao pondered aloud, "It’s very likely there aren’t any awaiting execution at the moment, since there was a round of executions just after autumn last year."

Despite the size of Great Jin, not many people are sentenced to beheading each year. Most are escorted to the capital for review, and only under special circumstances are executions carried out locally.

Doctor Xiao said, "I need to inquire about the situation at the Ministry of Justice."

Suddenly, the whole thing feels unnecessarily complicated.

Doctor Xiao looked at her briefly, shook his head, uncertain he wanted her to stay, "Alright, I noted down the matter. You should head back."

Manbao smiled broadly and said, "I haven’t congratulated you yet for becoming the director again. As soon as I returned, I heard that you accomplished great deeds, so the emperor reinstated you as the director. Are you planning a banquet to celebrate at home?"

Doctor Xiao’s lips curled but soon returned to normal, "It’s just a reinstatement of my position, not worth celebrating."

He suddenly remembered something, looked her over, and said, "I almost forgot, you and Imperial Doctor Lu and Imperial Doctor Zheng also accomplished great deeds this time. The court should reward you appropriately."

He contemplated, "Perhaps you might even be promoted."

Manbao perked up and asked, "A rank increase?"

Doctor Xiao nodded, "Possibly."

This made Manbao excited until she paused, "So is it possible that Imperial Doctor Lu and I might have the same rank, or will he outrank me?"

Seeing her expression, Doctor Xiao couldn’t help but laugh, "You spent four months together in Xiazhou, facing hardships. Haven’t you developed any rapport yet?"

Manbao said nothing.

Doctor Xiao shook his head slightly, "Imperial Doctor Lu led the mission, so technically his merits are the greatest. But according to the reported cases, you cured the most patients with the lowest mortality rate, so your merits are substantial too. The Ministry of Personnel should promote both to the same rank."

Finally, Manbao became happy.

Doctor Xiao then dealt her a blow, "But don’t be too pleased prematurely. Your age and seniority are there; the Ministry of Personnel might weigh these factors and suppress it."

Manbao: "Sir, can you stop leaving me hanging? What if my hopes are too high and lead to disappointment?"

Doctor Xiao burst out laughing and waved her away, "Alright, go back. We cannot decide this matter."

Indeed, Doctor Xiao could not decide, but the emperor would ask for his opinion, considering he was once again head of the Imperial Hospital.

Doctor Xiao’s suggestion was to promote both half a rank, after all, Zhou Man’s performance was indeed outstanding this time. He said, "Moreover, Doctor Zhou daringly led from the front at such a young age, such courage deserves reward."

The emperor nodded in agreement.

Thus, orders were issued promoting Doctor Xiao to director, Doctor Lu to Imperial Doctor of the fifth rank, Zhou Man to Imperial Doctor of the fifth rank, and Imperial Doctor Zheng to the sixth rank.

In addition, there was a reward from the Ministry of Revenue, consisting of foods and goods.

Such as half a sheep, half a pig, some grains and flour, and some fabrics.

Nothing overly precious, but rather honorable, and after obtaining the orders, Manbao went with her father and Zhou Liulang to receive the items from the Ministry of Revenue.

Collecting the items, the three cheerfully rode home in the cart, with Old Zhou sitting on the shaft, commenting, "I noticed that while dividing the meat, Imperial Doctor Lu got slightly more than us."

Manbao said, "He is older, Dad; how do we prepare this sheep’s head?"

Old Zhou thought for a moment and then said, "Steam it for our ancestors first, then leave it to your elder sister-in-law."

Since he didn’t know how to prepare it either.