Dingbei Hou's doctor brother

Chapter 10 Inquiry

After Yang Zhounan left, Lu Ziqing stepped forward and saluted, "General, it's time to change the medicine."

"it is good."

Xiao Yan rolled up his sleeves and walked to the pergola to sit down. There was a large dark red spot on the white cloth wrapped around his arm.

Lu Ziqing knelt on one knee, took out medicine and tools, and carefully treated the wound, and began to chatter like a doctor.

"General, you are injured. You'd better use less force. The wound is not small. It's spring and cold now. If it gets infected, it will be troublesome. You need to rest well for a while."

Xiao Yan lowered his eyes to look at him and said softly, "Military doctors are meticulous. People like us in the army are used to being rough and tumble, so we rarely pay attention to these things."

Lu Ziqing didn't raise his eyes and continued with the work at hand.

"There are many people in this world who rely on their youth and strength to not take good care of their bodies, only to regret it when they get old."

Xiao Yan chuckled, "What the military doctor said is true. I will definitely keep it in mind."

Lu Ziqing said: "Generals serve the country and the people, shouldering heavy responsibilities. It's not like us ordinary people who don't care about anything. They should pay more attention to it."

"The military doctor is wrong." Xiao Yan said.

"A doctor not only needs to be proficient in medical knowledge and treat illnesses and save lives, but also needs to be extremely meticulous and patient in caring for patients. This is a very arduous task that takes a lot of effort all day long."

"We have tens of thousands of soldiers in our army, and their health depends on you. You and I are just different in positions, and there is no other difference. Military doctors, please don't underestimate yourselves."

Upon hearing this, Lu Ziqing paused his movements.

Since ancient times, the powerful and wealthy have always been high and mighty, looking down on the lower class as lowly ants, and never even looking at them straight in the eye.

These words really made him feel that they were extremely inconsistent with Xiao Yan's identity.

"The general not only cares about the world, but is also so compassionate to his subordinates. This is admirable," said Lu Ziqing.

The corners of Xiao Yan's mouth curved slightly.

"Everyone in this world, whether they are emperors, generals, scholars, farmers, merchants, or even peddlers, has their own mission. As long as they fulfill their duties conscientiously and have a clear conscience, that's all that matters."

"General, that's very insightful." After Lu Ziqing finished treating the wound, he asked casually while packing up the medicine box.

"Speaking of military doctors, the imperial court always recruits them from the public every time they go on an expedition. So how do they get placed after the expedition is over?"

Xiao Yan stood up and said, "After the expedition is over, we will ask for your personal wishes. If you wish to stay, you will be registered and sent to the border defense by the Imperial Hospital. If you do not wish to stay, you will be sent back to the place where you were recruited."

Border defense?

Lu Ziqing's heart suddenly sank.

How could it be border defense?

Before arriving in Yongzhou, they had originally planned to go straight to the capital.

But considering the difference in status, it was as difficult as climbing to the sky to enter the palace legitimately, and he had not found a way to do it.

Because of this, he couldn't sleep or eat well all day, and he had to rush on the road. He lost a lot of weight, but fortunately, Su Chengfeng was there to take care of him.

God helps those who work hard. Later, I heard that the imperial court was sending troops to the north and was preparing to recruit military doctors from the public, but the province where they would be recruited was uncertain.

Then he hurried on and changed his route to Yongzhou to try his luck.

Fortunately, God took pity on Lu Ziqing and gave him one last way. He felt like he was walking on thin ice all the way along this thorny path, fearing that he would die in the wilderness one day.

But now tell him that this might be a dead end?

Lu Ziqing couldn't figure it out. He pinched his thumb tightly on the handle of the medicine box, secretly suppressing the anger surging in his heart, and asked with a gloomy face.

“Why did you go to the border?”

"Border defense is Daning's first line of defense and the top priority." Xiao Yan walked slowly at the shooting range.

"The cold and harsh conditions in the border areas are no less severe than in the inner city, and medical officers are particularly in short supply. Therefore, whether it's military equipment or supplies, or medical supplies and food, they are naturally given priority."

Lu Ziqing's expression stiffened slightly as he nodded in response, "I see. It's really not easy for a soldier to defend his country."

"However..." Xiao Yan glanced at him sideways, "If the doctor has excellent medical skills and is recommended by court officials, the court will hire him."

As soon as these words were spoken, Lu Ziqing's eyes lit up obviously, and his depressed heart immediately came to life. He turned sideways to face Xiao Yan.

"Can this still happen?"

Xiao Yan said "hmm".

"But there are conditions. Serving the Emperor requires meticulousness and careful attention to detail. The Imperial Hospital and the military are directly related to the health and safety of the royal family, and are therefore particularly important."

"To join the Imperial Hospital, one must take the Imperial Hospital Assessment. Only after passing the assessment can one become a doctor. Every promotion in the future will also require taking the assessment."

Lu Ziqing listened quietly, like a student listening to a lecture, afraid of missing any important information.

Xiao Yan looked at the serious expression and said, "There is only one exception."

"What kind?"

"Except for those directly appointed by the Emperor." Xiao Yan pulled the arrow from the target. "In the palace, no matter who or what job they do, as long as the Emperor personally approves, they can do it."

Lu Ziqing nodded, "General, you are right. Serving in the palace is extremely strict."

Xiao Yan smiled but said nothing.

The two were silent for a moment.

Lu Ziqing saw the bow on the wooden table not far away. He walked slowly forward, touched the bow with his fingertips, picked it up and tried to pull it.

I exerted force with my hands and was shocked. I just tried it and hadn't pulled it open much, but I already felt the great pulling force.

Ordinary soldiers still used a single-stone bow, but those generals or hunters who were strong as an ox were considered extraordinary if they could use a four-stone bow.

Besides, even a chivalrous hero like Su Chengfeng would find it difficult to use the five-stone bow.

This kind of pulling force must be from a heavy bow of at least seven stones or more. Lu Ziqing couldn't help but marvel at it.

"I didn't expect this young general to be so strong. No wonder he can use such a long weapon. Looking across the entire Daning, it's rare to find someone who can wield such a heavy bow. The title of Northwest War God is indeed well-deserved."

"Military doctors also like bows and arrows?" Xiao Yan asked.

"Ah?" Lu Ziqing came back to his senses and said, "I like it, but I don't know how to use it. I really admire the general for being able to use such a heavy bow."

"Oh?" Xiao Yan was a little skeptical. "The military doctor doesn't shoot arrows, but he knows this is a heavy bow?"

Lu Ziqing's expression changed slightly, and he put down his bow. "...It's a friend of mine, he told me."

"I see." Xiao Yan nodded slightly and took the bow in his hand.

"This is a seven-stone bow. The soldiers use one stone, and the lieutenant uses five. I'm a little stronger than them, so I'm more comfortable using this seven-stone bow."

Lu Ziqing: “…”

This kind of strength is more than just a little bit greater, it would be more appropriate to say that it is astonishing.

"The general is very strong. Looking across the world, there are few who are braver than the general."

"Military Doctor, you're too kind." Xiao Yan smiled faintly. "There are so many talented people in this world. I, Xiao Yan, am really nothing."

He placed the bow in front of his chest as if to draw it, and Lu Ziqing subconsciously raised his hand and placed it on his arm.

"General, have you forgotten my instructions?"

Xiao Yan suddenly seemed to remember something and said with a smile, "I actually forgot again. The military doctor treated my injury. Since you like archery, I can teach you."

Lu Ziqing: “…”

Asking the general to teach archery personally? He didn't have that much face.

"The general is busy with military affairs. How can he teach me archery? This... is against the rules."

"Military doctor, you're welcome. There's no rule against it. It's just that it's not possible these days."

Xiao Yan moved his arms and said with a smile, "As you said, you need to rest well."

This scene happened to fall into Yang Zhounan's eyes. He looked like he saw a ghost and slowed down his pace.

In Yang Zhounan's impression, since the day he met the man surnamed Xiao, he seemed to have never seen this man smile except when he was killing people.

Or maybe the laughter wasn't so genuine, and even if it was, I don't know when it was made.

In private, he always looks serious and stern.

Military affairs are always busy on weekdays, so when he finally has some free time, he either practices with his sword, stays in his study, or hides in the garden to tinker with flowers and plants.

He is not at all like a noble young man in the Beijing circle, who often goes out to drink tea, make friends, recite poetry, paint, and get to know some young ladies from official families.

She never goes out of the front door or the back door, and acts like a daughter of an official.

I’m used to seeing the King of Hell on a daily basis, but today I’m seeing something new. Is it Maitreya Buddha?

He twisted his mouth and made a "tsk" sound, feeling uncomfortable.

Before he got close, Lu Ziqing happened to see him from the side, saluted him tactfully, and left in a hurry.

"What's wrong with you?" Yang Zhounan asked casually.

Xiao Yan was a little puzzled and put the bow back on the bow stand.

"What do you mean?"

Yang Zhounan blinked as if nothing had happened.

"……nothing."

"What's the matter?"

"Didn't I say it was nothing?"

Xiao Yan looked over sideways, and Yang Zhounan suddenly remembered.