Chương 205: Medical School, Lively Governor's Mansion

Liu Ce looked around and saw that the wounded soldiers were recovering well.

Soon, Zhang Zhongjing and Hua Tuo arrived.

Both of them were wearing white lab coats "designed" by Liu Ce—these were initially criticized for "looking like mourning clothes," but after using them for a while, they found them to be quite convenient.

These two are now considered the "medical duo" of Youzhou.

Zhang Zhongjing was in his thirties, refined and gentle; Hua Tuo was in his forties, vigorous and energetic.

Name: Hua Tuo, courtesy name Yuanhua Gender: Male Age: 45 [Strength]: 78 Command: 35 [Politics]: 55 Intelligence: 99 (Medical Skill) [Appearance]: 68cm Special skills: [Qingnang Jishi]:...

[Mafeisan]:...

[Five Animal Frolics]:...

"What brings you here today, my lord?" Zhang Zhongjing asked with a smile.

Hua Tuo was even more direct, pulling Liu Ce inside: "Your Excellency has come at the perfect time! I've just figured out a new formula for anesthetic powder, and it's 30% more effective than the previous one!"

Liu Ce was pulled so hard he stumbled, thinking to himself: This old man is really strong...

The three entered a specially set-out "teaching and research room," which was filled with bamboo slips and silk books—most of which were teaching materials compiled by Zhang Zhongjing and Hua Tuo based on several modern medical books by Liu Ce.

"Gentlemen," Liu Ce said, sitting down and accepting the tea offered by his apprentice, "have you compiled the medical books I gave you into teaching materials yet?"

"It's finished! It's finished!" Zhang Zhongjing hurriedly took out several books from the bookshelf.

"My lord, please take a look. This is 'Basic Anatomy Illustrated'... I've added illustrations as you requested."

Liu Ce opened it and was amazed to find that it was drawn with great detail. Although it wasn't as precise as modern anatomical diagrams, it was still incredibly well done for the Eastern Han Dynasty.

Hua Tuo also brought over several books: "This is 'Common Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment,' this is 'First Aid Manual for External Injuries,' and this is 'Illustrated Materia Medica'... My lord, regarding the 'bacteria' and 'viruses' mentioned in your book, I've discussed them with Zhongjing for several months. Although we haven't seen them with our own eyes, our deductions about disease transmission based on this theory are indeed reasonable!"

Zhang Zhongjing added, "We especially agree with our lord's statement that 'prevention is better than cure.' We have now compiled a volume titled 'Essential Techniques for Epidemic Prevention,' which specifically discusses methods for disinfecting drinking water, handling waste, and isolation..."

Liu Ce nodded repeatedly as he listened.

These two truly deserve to be called giants in the history of medicine; their comprehension is exceptional.

The modern medical knowledge he provided was only superficial, but the two of them were able to apply it to other situations and, combined with the actual conditions of the era, develop a workable system.

"Good, very good! Gentlemen," Liu Ce said earnestly, "I plan to establish a 'medical school' as soon as possible. We'll select children who are interested in medicine from those who have completed a year of school in the villages and send them here to study medicine with you. Room and board will be provided, and after graduation, they'll be assigned to hospitals, military camps, various counties... I guarantee everyone will have a job!"

Zhang Zhongjing and Hua Tuo were overjoyed.

Hua Tuo exclaimed excitedly, "Is Your Excellency truly certain? I have long wished to pass on my medical skills! However, it was too difficult to find apprentices in the past. Those with good aptitude were unwilling to learn, and those who were willing to learn had poor aptitude..."

Zhang Zhongjing also exclaimed, "Your Majesty's actions are a great achievement for generations to come. If a group of skilled doctors can be trained and spread throughout the prefectures and counties, countless lives can be saved."

Liu Ce smiled and said, "Then it's settled."

Zhang Zhongjing and Hua Tuo bowed in unison: "Thank you, my lord!"

Liu Ce quickly helped the two up, but secretly laughed to himself: Hahaha, tricking people into studying medicine, may I be struck by lightning—I was a victim in my past life, and in this life I can finally be the "perpetrator"! Just imagine the miserable state of those children in the future, hanging their heads from beams and pricking their thighs with awls to study medical books... Tsk tsk tsk, why does it feel so good?

However, he remained serious: "Gentlemen, there's no need for such formalities. Medicine is a means to save lives and help the world. The health of the people of Youzhou and even the whole country depends on you and future doctors."

Hua Tuo exclaimed excitedly, "Rest assured, My Lordship! I will impart all the knowledge I have acquired throughout my life!"

"Oh, right," Liu Ce suddenly remembered something, "how are the wounded soldiers in the camp?"

Zhang Zhongjing smiled and said, "The 'alcohol disinfection method' invented by our lord is extremely effective. In this battle against the Wuhuan, more than three hundred people were wounded, but so far no one has died."

Liu Ce felt relieved.

As Liu Ce left the hospital, the sun was already setting. Walking through Zhuoxian County, he looked at the newly opened shops on both sides of the street, the vendors carrying their wares and calling out their wares, and a few children running past with their schoolbags (the double-shoulder cloth bags designed by Liu Ce) as they came home from the village school. A strange sense of satisfaction welled up in his heart.

This is Youzhou under his rule.

Although we are still far from a "peaceful and prosperous era", at least the people can have enough to eat, the children can go to school, the merchants dare to do business, and the wounded soldiers have a place to get treatment.

"Take it slow," Liu Ce told himself.

"It's only been two years."

...

Inside the governor's mansion, things were bustling with activity.

As soon as Liu Ce entered the room, he sensed a tense and busy atmosphere.

In the front courtyard, clerks from various departments hurried about carrying books and papers. From the household affairs department came the sound of an abacus—this thing, which Liu Ce had taught Zhen Yan, had now become standard equipment for the state government's financial staff, and it was being used rapidly.

The council chamber was even more lively.

Xun Yu sat in the main seat, a mountain of official documents piled up in front of him, frowning as he checked a household register; Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui were on either side, one calculating the accounts of money and grain, the other reviewing reports from various prefectures; Xun You huddled in a corner, so low-key he was almost invisible, sitting there slowly flipping through documents, occasionally jotting something down in his notes, but Liu Ce knew that he was the one in the room who should not be underestimated, for he was wise in his apparent foolishness, and that was Xun Gongda.

Jia Xu was not there—this cunning strategist had returned to his residence after presenting his "Four Strategies to Destroy the Heart," demonstrating his deep understanding of the principle of "retiring after achieving success."

Tian Feng sat by the window, writing furiously, though he didn't know what he was writing.

The most lively table was the one with Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai, and Xu Shu.

Guo Jia sat with his legs crossed, and was even carrying a small wine pot in his hand—after Liu Ce explicitly forbade him from drinking, this guy somehow got hold of a pot of "medicinal wine," which he euphemistically called "conditioning the body."

Xi Zhicai was whispering something to Xu Shu.

Xu Shu... Xu Shu looked completely bewildered.

"Yuanzhi," Guo Jia took a swig of "medicinal wine," smacked his lips, and said, "There are three essential elements to being a strategist. The first is discernment; you have to be able to judge people accurately—like our lord, who seems to be slacking off all day, but is actually very shrewd. Follow a lord like that!"

Xu Shu nodded vigorously.

"The second is courage," Guo Jia continued.

"When it's time to bet, bet. Don't hesitate. Look at me. Back in Yingchuan, as soon as I received the imperial edict, I packed my bags and ran—and look at me now! I'm the General of the Cavalry, feeling great!"

Xi Zhicai added, "The third is... being ruthless. Decide when necessary, kill when necessary. Study Jia Wenhe's 'Four Strategies for Winning Hearts' carefully; that's the highest level of strategist."

Xu Shu swallowed.

"There's a fourth point," Guo Jia said in a low voice, "You have to run fast! If the plan fails and the lord wants to execute someone, you have to be able to escape..."

"Fengxiao!" Xun Yu finally couldn't hold back any longer, slamming his hand on the table.

"Don't corrupt Yuanzhi!"

Guo Jia chuckled and hid the wine pot behind his back.

...