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

Chapter 8, An Unexpected Surprise
The eunuch Han produced the edict issued by King An of Han.

The crowd stopped praising Xu Qing and straightened their clothes, preparing to receive the imperial edict.

"By imperial decree, Xu Qing, a physician in the Imperial Medical Academy, is young and promising with exceptional medical skills. For his merit in curing Consort Hu, he is hereby promoted to Imperial Physician and awarded twenty taels of gold."

"Thank you for your generous gift, Your Majesty. I will certainly do my duty and serve Your Majesty to the best of my ability." Xu Qing respectfully accepted the imperial edict.

"Physician Xu, if any member of our family suffers from a headache or fever in the future, please don't find it troublesome," said Eunuch Han with a smile.

A young eunuch also came up with a plate, on which were placed twenty gold ingots.

Xu Qing held the plate in one hand and took five gold ingots from it with the other, putting them into Han's sleeve, and smiled slightly at Han.

Feeling the heavy gold ingots in his sleeve, Han's smile widened.

He increasingly felt that Xu Qing had a limitless future. He was humble and cautious, not arrogant, and more importantly, he was sensible and knew what he was doing!
"His Majesty has said that Physician Xu will be solely responsible for Consort Hu's care from now on, and other matters should not be entrusted to Physician Xu for the time being," said Eunuch Han to the physician.

Upon hearing this, the physicians, led by Imperial Physician Wang, looked at Xu Qing with even more complex emotions, including jealousy, envy, and感慨 (a mix of feelings).

They naturally understood the unspoken meaning behind Han's words: Xu Qing would be a favorite of Consort Hu from now on, and they should all be careful not to cause trouble.

"Congratulations, Physician Xu!" The lower-ranking medical officers offered their congratulations, but their eyes were filled with envy and jealousy as they looked at Xu Qing.

Some of them had served as medical officers in the Imperial Medical Academy for over a decade or two, yet they remained at the lowest level, never even attaining the rank of Imperial Physician.

And what about Xu Qing? Before even reaching adulthood, he had already reached a level that they couldn't achieve in ten or twenty years, and even managed to get close to Consort Hu, a favorite concubine of the King of Han. It's truly outrageous!
Xu Qing is just a little younger, a little better looking, and a little more skilled in medicine than them, right? They say a man is in his prime at forty, just like wine, the older he gets, the better he becomes!

"Little Xu, congratulations!" Physician Wang and the other three physicians also congratulated Xu Qing with smiles.

"Congratulations to you too," Xu Qing said politely.

After exchanging a few more polite words with everyone, Han, the eunuch, left with his entourage.

Once the outsiders had left, the people from the Imperial Medical Academy surrounded Xu Qing again, showering him with praise and flattery. However, before they could say more than a few words, they were driven away by Physician Wang.

"Alright, it's getting late. Everyone except those who stayed on duty today, may leave," said Physician Wang.
"Xiao Xu, please stay. I have something to say."

Seeing that their superiors had spoken, the others didn't dare to say anything, exchanged a few more polite words with Xu Qing, and then left.

"Xiao Xu, come with me."

After speaking, Physician Wang walked towards his private room. Xu Qing didn't know what he wanted to do, so she followed him.

After entering the house, Xu Qing closed the door behind her, while the imperial physician Wang stood by the bookshelf.

"Xiao Xu, as we agreed before, you will treat Consort Hu's illness, and I will allow you to look through the medical books of the Imperial Medical Academy."

"These bamboo slips are medical books compiled by imperial physicians of the Imperial Medical Academy throughout the ages. They contain many profound medical techniques. You are free to take them away and read them from today onwards."

After speaking, Physician Wang picked up a scroll of bamboo slips from the table and handed it to Xu Qing.

"Imperial Physician, what is this?" Xu Qing asked, looking at the bamboo slip in his hand with a puzzled expression.

"These are some of my experiences in treating and saving lives over the years. You may not appreciate them, but they may still be of some help to you," said Physician Wang.

Xu Qing looked at the bamboo slip in his hand. This bamboo slip was not as simple as the other party had said. It could be said that the contents of this bamboo slip were a summary of Physician Wang's medical skills and experience.

If nothing unexpected happens, these bamboo slips will be passed down as family heirlooms, and only direct descendants or disciples are allowed to see them.

In any era, the saying "skills should not be passed on to outsiders" is not an empty phrase, and since Xu Qing did not become Wang Taiyi's apprentice, his relationship with him can only be considered normal.

The fact that the other party gave him such a valuable item made Xu Qing think about something else entirely.

Is this Imperial Physician Wang so afraid of my revenge? No matter what, I'm just a young Imperial Physician.

Although she miraculously cured Hu Meiren, the other party shouldn't be so wary of her, even giving her something more precious than her own life for nothing. Previously, the other party had been sarcastic and even tricked her.

Now that he's in power, shouldn't he be treating me as a threat and ruthlessly suppressing me, according to the plot of the novel? Why is he suddenly being so friendly to me?
"This is far too valuable; I cannot accept it," Xu Qing declined.

“Xiao Xu, you don’t need to refuse. You have exceptional talent. Giving you this bamboo slip is like giving a precious sword to a hero.”

"Now I'm getting old, and if nothing unexpected happens, I'll be going home to enjoy my retirement next year. At that time, the Imperial Hospital will still need young people like you to support it," Physician Wang said with a smile.

"This..." Xu Qing looked at Physician Wang with some hesitation.

The royal physician was unaware of Xu Qing's doubts. If he had known, he would have found it amusing, but he could understand, as Xu Qing was still young and did not comprehend the rules of the Han royal palace.

For the Han royal palace and King An, who became the chief physician was not important, but Consort Hu was very important.

If Imperial Physician Wang had previously been inclined to test Xu Qing, he abandoned all such thoughts after Eunuch Han stood up for Xu Qing.

The message was clear: Xu Qing had already won Hu Meiren's favor. If he continued to be ungrateful and oppose her, she had many ways to destroy him.

If Xu Qing is even slightly careless or distracted while treating Hu Meiren, he will definitely attract questions.

He only needs to reveal a little about his situation, and with a few whispers in Hu Meiren's ear, he's sure to meet a bad end.

As for how he knew, did he really think that he was able to hold the position of Imperial Physician for more than 20 years because of his medical skills?
If they weren't brainless, they would have been devoured by the Han royal palace, which is so ruthless it leaves no trace of bones.

This is the benefit of currying favor with a favored concubine, and it's also why everyone in the Korean royal palace—from eunuchs and maids to court officials and royal princes—desperate to befriend the concubine.

If he were ten years younger, Physician Wang would certainly not be willing to admit defeat.

Now that he's old, he'll soon be going home to enjoy his retirement and be with his grandchildren. Being the Imperial Physician only earns a few hundred coins a month, why risk his life like that!
Why not just back down decisively, wait until retirement age, go home and live a few more years? You could also befriend this rising star of the Imperial Medical Academy and pave the way for your children and grandchildren.

Xu Qing could also tell that the other party was trying to back down. Right now, what he was most eager to do was improve his medical skills, and these bamboo slips were exactly what he needed.

If I spare Physician Wang, I can ask him to solve any problems I encounter in my medical practice in the future.

Instead of making a mortal enemy for a moment's pleasure, it's better to back down gracefully. Not only will you gain enough benefits, but you'll also make a friend.

"In that case, I shall accept your offer without hesitation. Thank you, Imperial Physician." Xu Qing said.

Seeing that Xu Qing accepted the gift, Physician Wang finally smiled with satisfaction and continued...
"There are five imperial physicians in the Imperial Medical Academy, including you and me. I am in charge of the entire Imperial Medical Academy, while the other four are not only responsible for diagnosing and treating the concubines in the harem, but also for managing the affairs of the Imperial Medical Academy."

“Previously, Imperial Physician Wen was in charge of the pharmacy, and I was responsible for purchasing medicinal herbs. Now that he has unfortunately passed away, you have become the new Imperial Physician, and this pharmacy will be handed over to you.”

"A new batch of medicinal herbs will arrive in three days. You can handle the delivery for me then."

Xu Qing's eyes lit up; this was a lucrative job. Anyone who's done it knows how lucrative it is.

Physician Wang is really going all out. He's in charge of the medicine storehouse and procurement, so isn't he going to take off right away?

"Thank you, Imperial Physician. I will certainly do my duty to the best of my ability," Xu Qing said.

"Well, it's getting late. You should hurry home and rest. From now on, you must be careful and cautious in this palace, and never underestimate anyone," the royal physician said earnestly.

"I understand."

Xu Qing bowed slightly and then left.

After leaving the Han Royal Palace, Xu Qing's face was full of smiles. He had been in this world for a month, and he had never felt so happy and excited as he did today.

Not only did he obtain the martial arts manual he had always dreamed of, but he also gained access to improve his medical skills. As long as he was careful, he no longer had to worry about his life being in danger at any moment.

(End of this chapter)