Da Ming: Father, step aside, I'll be the prime minister!

Chapter 91: More Money Required! (Fourth Update!)
"That's really true!"

Among the crowd, Imperial Physician Luo Xian's eyes lit up, and he immediately stepped forward to examine the person carefully before speaking.

"This person has a persistent high fever, is extremely lethargic, and is breathing rapidly with shortness of breath; the bacteria must have already invaded the lungs."

Since then, Luo Xian has followed Zhang Yunxiu in the research of allicin and conducted consultations for many patients. Now he is quite familiar with so-called "modern medicine".

He possessed exceptional comprehension; with just a little guidance from Zhang Yunxiu, he was able to integrate various ancient medical theories.

Not only Luo Xian, but several other doctors also stepped forward to analyze the situation.

"Look at this tongue: the tongue body is reddish-brown, and the tongue coating is yellow and dry."

"Furthermore, regarding the pulse, it is rapid and forceful, indicating excessive heat. Moreover, given the severity of the illness, medication is truly ineffective!"

The group of doctors looked deep in thought as they examined Zhu Yinghuai's condition, sighing repeatedly. They seemed to be used to such consultations and acted as if no one else was around.

The speaker has no intention, the listener has the heart.

Upon hearing their words, Madam Lü, who was standing to the side, nearly lost her mind and almost fell over.

"How could this be! My poor child!"

Zhu Yingzhen finally lost his temper, his anger rising to his head. He took a few steps forward, grabbed Zhang Yunxiu's arm, and shouted loudly.

"Zhang Shiyuan!"

Zhang Yunxiu turned his head, his brows furrowed, and his tone was full of displeasure: "What is the Duke doing? If this delays proper medical treatment, I will not be responsible."

Zhu Yingzhen trembled with rage: "With your words, you've almost cursed my younger brother to death! Don't think that just because your father is the Grand Secretary you can control everything! This matter between the Duke of Cheng's Mansion and your Zhang family is not over!"

Zhang Shiyuan asked in surprise, "Does the Duke of Cheng no longer want to save your younger brother?"

"I," Zhu Yingzhen was about to speak.

Upon hearing this, Madam Lü rushed over, her eyes reddening, and pleaded with Zhang Yunxiu, "Yes! Young sir, do you have a way to cure him?"

Zhang Shiyuan, his temper flaring, turned to Zhu Yingzhen and said, "Then why are you talking to me like that? Say it again!"

"???"

Zhu Yingzhen was stunned. How could Zhang Shiyuan be so arrogant? How dare he speak to him like that?

Lady Lü, growing increasingly anxious, stamped her feet and poked Zhu Yingzhen's shoulder hard with her finger, saying, "Speak up!"

Zhu Yingzhen was unwilling, gritted his teeth, glared fiercely at Zhang Yunxiu, cupped his hands and said, "Please, sir, help my younger brother. If he can recover, the Duke's Mansion will be eternally grateful."

Zhang Shiyuan narrowed his eyes, still relentlessly pressing the issue: "You still say you're not done with the Zhang family?"

"I," Zhu Yingzhen said through gritted teeth, his face turning a deep purplish-red. "If you can cure Yunfu, I will owe you a favor! If not, my Duke's mansion..."

He appeared respectful, but the fingers resting on the precious sword at his waist were white.

Before Zhu Yingzhen could finish speaking, Zhang Shiyuan immediately turned to a group of doctors and said something.

“My disciples, carry this critically ill patient into the laboratory. We’re going to use the latest treatment to treat the Duke’s younger brother.”

Several doctors, seeing such a typical patient, could no longer contain themselves. They rubbed their hands together, lifted him up, and were about to run into the clinic.

"you."

Seeing his younger brother being carried away, Zhu Yingzhen stamped his feet in frustration and chased after him. He was already regretting coming to find Zhang Shiyuan, as this man was truly absurd and could not be judged by common sense.

But after running only a couple of steps, Zhang Yunxiu stopped him again.

"What's wrong?" Zhu Yingzhen asked, his voice laced with anger.

If Zhang Yunxiu hadn't been the youngest son of the Grand Secretary, hadn't been on good terms with the Emperor, and hadn't needed his help, Zhu Yingzhen, as a Duke, might have actually beheaded this arrogant and domineering brat in the street.

But Zhang Yunxiu said with a smile.

"This treatment is different from the usual ones, as it utilizes the most advanced technology, therefore..."

"what?"

"You'll have to pay more!" Zhu Yingzhen: "???"

On the Fuchengmen city tower.

"Your Excellency, it's very windy up here on the city wall. Please take care of yourself. Recently, many soldiers have been infected with the plague."

The clerk Zhao Qing climbed up the city wall and saw Shen Shixing standing by the wall, staring at the refugees gathered in the western suburbs below, his brows furrowed. He couldn't help but speak up to remind him.

"How are the refugees in the western suburbs being settled?"

Shen Shixing, his robes fluttering, stared intently at the throng of people below, seemingly deep in thought.

Zhao Qing also stood by the city gate and glanced at the refugee settlement area. The small squares marked out and the simple tents looked very conspicuous.

It doesn't even look like a refugee settlement at all; it looks more like a military camp.
He thought for a moment and explained to Shen Shixing, "The refugees in the western suburbs are managed by the Fifth Army Battalion, one of the three major battalions under the Duke of Ying. The Fifth Army Battalion has always been responsible for the training of the soldiers in the capital, so managing these refugees should be a piece of cake for them."

"Was the camp layout and the daily morning exercises taught by Zhang Shiyuan?"

Shen Shixing frowned and looked at the open space not far away, where a group of refugees were arranged in a square formation, performing various tasks in an orderly fashion, while chanting something like "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, two, two, three, four."

"It seems to be some kind of gymnastics?" Zhao Qing recalled and explained.

"It is said that Zhang Shiyuan still taught them, gathering all the strong and capable men among the refugees, organizing them into groups, and conducting daily drills. In their spare time, they could carry out some construction work in the western suburbs and assist with various miscellaneous tasks in the city, which saved the imperial court a lot of labor."

Shen Shixing was momentarily at a loss for words, and sighed as he spoke.

"This young master of the En family truly has a unique talent!"

Zhao Qing seemed to hold Zhang Yunxiu in high regard, and said with his hands clasped.

"What the Grand Secretary says is absolutely right. The officials of the court may not feel it quite right, but we lowly clerks feel it all too well. Zhang Shiyuan's methods are all practical and useful strategies for governing the country in daily life."

Shen Shixing frowned and turned to look at Zhao Qing. The latter immediately realized something, panicked, and hurriedly knelt down to pay his respects.

"This humble servant has misspoke; please forgive me, Your Excellency."

Shen Shixing sighed helplessly and said, "Do you know the principle that trouble comes from the mouth? Even in my presence, if it were anyone else, you wouldn't just be losing your official hat."

Zhao Qing kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Your Excellency! I will never dare to do it again."

In hindsight, what difference was there between what he had just said and his criticism of the officials in the court who only knew how to talk about classical Chinese but did not understand the principles of practical application in governing the world?

It was precisely because Shen Shixing was so easy to talk to that Zhao Qing became so smug and blurted out the things he had been making up in private.

He was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat. He was just a clerk in the Five Cities Garrison, who had recently been assisting Shen Shixing with his work.

Given Shen Shixing's status as a Grand Secretary, punishing him would be a piece of cake.

"Alright, alright, you may go now."

Shen Shixing frowned, unwilling to talk more.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Excellency!"

Zhao Qing, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon, hurriedly withdrew.

Watching Zhao Qing's disheveled departure, Shen Shixing narrowed his eyes, looking thoughtful.

"courtier."

He muttered to himself, his heart filled with sorrow. These days he had been so preoccupied with assisting in the lockdown and guiding the refugees that he had little time to attend to matters of state.

Recalling Zhao Qing's words, Shen Shixing couldn't help but feel worried. He had already foreseen the possible actions that the Qingliu faction and some nobles might take.

"I wonder how the En family will respond?"

Western suburbs, the large tent in the resettlement area.

A scholar-like man spoke respectfully from inside the tent.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, the army formed by the refugees has recently been incorporated into the Anping Army, numbering over a thousand men. They are responsible for all repairs inside and outside the capital, and assist in maintaining order among the tens of thousands of refugees outside the city and ensuring security within the capital."

(End of this chapter)