People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 5, The Library, A New Opportunity

Whether it was asking the Imperial Physician to see the Imperial Medical Academy's collection or requesting access to the library of the Han King's palace, Xu Qing's goal was simple: to improve his medical skills.

He was only a half-baked doctor, and he just happened to cure Hu Meiren this time. If he were to treat other people in the future and fail to diagnose them or write prescriptions that were wrong, he would probably lose his life.

In this chaotic world, and since he himself doesn't know martial arts, he wouldn't be able to survive in the chaos outside if he didn't become a physician. It would be better for him to stay in the Han King's palace.

Given the limited number of physicians in the Imperial Medical Academy, it might take several months for him to see patients. Now that he has escaped this calamity, his life is safe in the near future.

Having narrowly escaped death, it doesn't mean one can always be safe and sound. To continue surviving in the Han royal palace, one must improve medical skills and accumulate capital for oneself.

If one day things become unbearable in the Han royal palace, escaping from the palace will at least provide them with the means to survive.

"Is that so?" King Han asked in surprise.

Although books are coveted treasures for ordinary people, they were just ordinary things for a king like King An of Han.

“I was born into a family of doctors. My father was also a physician in the Imperial Medical Academy, but he passed away a few days ago, so I took over his position.”

"Since childhood, my father has taught me medicine, and I have unknowingly become immersed in the medical field for many years. Unfortunately, my family's medical knowledge is shallow and cannot provide me with the opportunity to learn more advanced medical skills. Now, as a physician in the Imperial Medical Academy, I serve Your Majesty and the noble ladies of the harem. I only hope to improve my medical skills and do my best to relieve the worries of Your Majesty and the ladies," Xu Qing said solemnly.

Hearing Xu Qing's honest and sincere words, King Han An showed a satisfied expression. No monarch dislikes a loyal minister, even if he is just a physician.

"Very well, since that's the case, I will allow you to enter the library and choose two medical books to take away for study," King Han said generously.

Xu Qing's face lit up with joy, and he said excitedly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reward."

"Your Majesty, if it weren't for Physician Xu, I'm afraid I would have been separated from you forever," Hu Meiren's delicate and weak voice rang out again.

Han Wang An glanced at Consort Hu on the bed and nodded.
"My lady is right. Two medical books are not enough to reward you for your merits. I hereby promote you to Imperial Physician of the Imperial Medical Academy and reward you with twenty gold coins. My lady has just recovered from a serious illness, and from now on, I will entrust the care of her health to you."

Hearing Han Wang'an's reward, Xu Qing was excited. There were also different ranks in the Imperial Medical Academy. The highest was naturally the Imperial Physician, followed by the Imperial Physician, and finally the Medical Officer.

Besides the official position, the monetary reward made Xu Qing exclaim that King Han was incredibly generous; twenty gold coins would be enough for an ordinary family in Xinzheng City to live on for more than ten or even twenty years.

"Thank you for your generous gift, Your Majesty. I will do my utmost to help my beloved recover as soon as possible," Xu Qing said.

"The anger in the beauty's heart has dissipated by more than half. All that remains is to recuperate with medicine. I will prescribe a formula and have the Imperial Hospital prepare it and send it to her on time."

As soon as Xu Qing finished speaking, a palace maid came up with a plate on which sat a bowl of steaming congee.

After being tested for poison by palace servants, the congee was placed inside the curtains.

"Well, since the beauty has not yet fully recovered, you should focus on serving her during this time and make sure she recovers completely," said King Han An.

"promise."

"Take him to the library to select medical books, and while you're at it, go to the Imperial Hospital to read out my decree. Also, have someone prepare a medicine and send it to the beauty to take," King Han An said to the eunuch Han.

"promise."

"My minister retire."

Han, the palace attendant, and Xu Qing left Consort Hu's palace and headed towards the library in the Han King's palace.

Han Wang An turned around and went back into the curtained area. He sat on the edge of the bed and watched Hu Meiren drink congee. Ruo Tao, who was beside him, recounted the process of Xu Qing treating Hu Meiren.

They were astonished to learn that Xu Qing had cured Hu Meiren's illness simply by telling a story.

After leaving the palace, Eunuch Han led Xu Qing straight to the library. Along the way, the maids and eunuchs they encountered all bowed to Eunuch Han.

"Physician Xu, you have cured the beauty. You are truly a miracle worker. You will surely have a bright future in the Imperial Hospital." Eunuch Han, who had previously looked down on Xu Qing with disdain and arrogance, was all smiles.

Seeing Han's expression, Xu Qing smiled and said...
"That was thanks to Your Majesty's great fortune. If it weren't for Your Majesty's boundless blessings, how could the beauty have survived this ordeal?"

"It is true that we owe our success to His Majesty's good fortune, but we also owe a great deal to Physician Xu's effective medicine," Han the eunuch said with a smile, flattering him.

He was well aware of Hu Meiren's position in Han Wang'an's heart. Now that Xu Qing had cured Hu Meiren, he must have won over both Hu Meiren and Han Wang'an's hearts.

Han, the imperial physician, naturally wanted to befriend such a promising and highly skilled young doctor. In an era where even a common cold could be fatal, no one could guarantee they would never suffer from a headache or fever in their lifetime.

Befriending a good imperial physician might just save your life someday.

"That's all thanks to Eunuch Han. If you hadn't taken me to treat Consort Hu, I'd probably still be doing copying in the Imperial Hospital. You deserve some credit for treating the Consort," Xu Qing said with a smile.
"I don't have any other skills, but I know a little about medicine. If you need my help in the future, you can send someone to find me."

Hearing Xu Qing's words, Han's smile deepened.

"I'll have to trouble you then."

"Haha, Eunuch Han, there's no need to be so polite. Just give your orders."

With everyone eager to help, Han, the eunuch, showed goodwill, and Xu Qing was naturally happy to befriend him.

He had already decided to continue working in the Han King's palace, so naturally he needed to be on good terms with this chief eunuch, who was also the King's personal attendant. He never knew when he might need the other's help.

After sensing each other's goodwill, the two became closer.

Before long, the two arrived at the palace where the library of the King of Han's palace was located. Xu Qing looked up at the library in front of him.

The library has five floors. Although it is not the tallest or largest building in the Han King's Palace, it is still among the top.

Armored soldiers patrolled outside the library, and large vats filled with water lined the corridors inside the palace.

"Physician Xu, please follow me," said Eunuch Han with a smile.
"The person in charge of the library is Dr. Qufu. Don't underestimate Dr. Qufu. When Your Majesty was still the Crown Prince, he was Your Majesty's tutor. For various reasons, he eventually came to the library to manage the collection."

Hearing Han Eunuch describe the situation at the library, Xu Qing nodded in response.

During their conversation, the two entered the library. On the first floor, an elderly scholar who was organizing the books glanced at them as they entered before continuing with his work.

Seeing this, Xu Qing and the eunuch Han had no choice but to step forward and bow to Qu Fu.

"This is Qu Fu, the doctor in charge of the library." Han, the eunuch, explained to each other, "This is Physician Xu from the Imperial Hospital. Because he cured Consort Hu's anorexia, His Majesty rewarded him with two classics."

A hint of surprise flashed in Xu Qing's eyes, and he looked at Eunuch Han with a smile in his eyes. The difference between two classic books and two medical classics was huge.

Qu Fu looked up at Xu Qing; he had also heard about Hu Meiren's anorexia.

The Han royal palace was neither too big nor too small, and matters concerning the Han king's favorite concubine could not be kept secret from others.

This young man was able to cure such a difficult case; appearances can be deceiving.

“Since His Majesty has given the order, you may choose. What kind of books do you wish to read?” Qu Fu asked.

"If Physician Xu needs anything, he can just tell Dr. Qu Fu. His Majesty has been so engrossed in politics these past few years that he hasn't dealt with the affairs of the library. Now, Dr. Qu Fu is the one who knows the library best," Han the eunuch said with a smile to Xu Qing.

Xu Qing naturally understood what Han the eunuch meant: "You can choose whatever you want, don't limit yourself to medical books, and no one will find out afterward."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, esteemed doctor," Xu Qing said, bowing to Qu Fu.

"It's alright," Qu Fu said calmly.

“In that case, I will first go to the Imperial Hospital to convey His Majesty’s decree and arrange for someone to prepare the medicine.” Eunuch Han bowed slightly.

"Then I'll have to trouble Eunuch Han." Xu Qing took out the prepared prescription from the medicine box and handed it to him.

Watching the departing eunuch Han, Xu Qing felt extremely fortunate. It was indeed the right decision to befriend him; who knows when he might come in handy in the palace.

"What kind of books do you need? The library has a total of 5,832 volumes, covering books from hundreds of schools of thought, including Taoism, Confucianism, medicine, and Yin-Yang theory," Qu Fu said to Xu Qing.

Just as Xu Qing was listening attentively to Qu Fu's words, the ball of light in his mind lit up again, and two sticks flew out from it.

During the new book release period, it will be posted at 11:30 AM from now on. You can eat it with your lunch as an electronic pickled vegetable.

Some illustrations are difficult to post; the original images are in the image comments.

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(End of this chapter)