Dingbei Hou's doctor brother

Lu Ziqing was speechless for a long time, trying to hide his embarrassment and said, "Thank you for your consideration, General.

Xiao Yan's expression darkened slightly as he said, "Well, I have an idea. Would the military doctor like to hear it?"

"General, please speak."

Xiao Yan looked into his eyes seriously and asked, "Are you willing to work as a military doctor in the palace?"

"Ah?" Lu Ziqing was stunned. He didn't expect Xiao Yan to say this. "Me? General..."

"Military doctor, there's no need to rush to refuse," Xiao Yan said.

"Over the past two months, I've seen the military doctor's abilities. You risked your life to save the soldiers and also saved mine. I'm naturally grateful and would like to repay you. I hope the military doctor won't refuse."

Lu Ziqing felt a little ashamed of what he said. He said, "Healing and saving lives is my job. I only treated some minor injuries for the general, not saving his life. The military doctors can do the same."

"Not really." Xiao Yan said seriously, "If it weren't for you, I would have eaten poisonous mushrooms and died."

Lu Ziqing was surprised for a moment, "I thought..."

"Do you think I planned this?" Xiao Yan said with a smile.

"I, Xiao Yan, don't have clairvoyance and know what the Di people did. This was the only unexpected move I didn't anticipate, and it was the military doctor who helped me prevent it."

Lu Ziqing said, "As long as the general is alright, it's all good. I'm grateful for your kindness."

The next day, it was just dawn.

The army set out on the road back to the capital in a mighty force. Lu Ziqing's floating heart gradually sank and merged with the tens of thousands of soldiers in golden weapons and iron armor.

The dead silence, anxiety, urgency and uneasiness of the past slowly condensed into a fresh and surging heat wave at this moment, and melted into his bones and blood.

In a blink of an eye, they arrived at the capital of Daning, Jin'an.

The land is rich in natural resources and has many outstanding people. When the nine gates of heaven are opened, everyone, from the royal family to the princes and ministers, walks in reverently.

Emperor Shengzhi sat at the imperial desk and reviewed memorials.

A personal eunuch in a bright red robe embroidered with gold, holding a whisk in his arm, stepped forward and reported in a low voice.

"Your Majesty, Marquis Dingbei has returned and is outside the palace."

"Quick announcement."

Xiao Yan was wearing a crimson round-collar official uniform, a black gauze hat, and a kirin patch on his chest. He stepped into the hall and kowtowed to Emperor Shengzhi to pay his respects.

Emperor Shengzhi put down his red brush and raised his hand with a smile.

"Ayan, please stand up. I received the news of the victory in the Northern Expedition a few days ago. You have defeated the Chishuo tribe, captured the young prince alive, and captured tens of thousands of cattle, sheep, and horses. This is truly a great achievement and you deserve a generous reward."

Emperor Shengzhi's "Ayan" sounded more intimate than that of others.

In fact, Xiao Yan and the emperor are somewhat related.

His mother and the current empress dowager are sisters. According to the private way people call each other, he should call the emperor his cousin.

However, Xiao Yan was the son of Duke Wei in his old age, so in terms of age, he and Emperor Shengzhi looked more like a father and son or an uncle and nephew.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Xiao Yan stood up.

Emperor Shengzhi said: "With this pacification, our Daning border can be peaceful for a few more years."

Xiao Yan responded, "Speaking of stability, Daning and Beidi are constantly at war, wasting money and manpower. This is not a long-term solution."

The feud between the two countries has lasted for hundreds of years. Just after Emperor Shengzhi ascended the throne, they fought for nearly ten years.

Military expenditure alone is equivalent to the national treasury's income for two or three years.

In addition, there are natural disasters and banditry in various places, each of which costs a lot of money.

If you calculate carefully, the growth rate over the past twenty years has been almost negative, thanks to the foundation left by Emperor Taizong.

Even if China prevails now, what about in another ten or eight years? A protracted war is too much for anyone to withstand.

Emperor Shengzhi frowned and sighed, "We've been at war with the Northern Di for hundreds of years, and the annual expenditure on the national treasury is considerable. This won't last long. Does Ayan have any good ideas?"

Xiao Yan said, "The Di people are strong and skilled in horseback riding and archery. They were able to penetrate our territory directly because there were no defensive walls between Changyang Pass and Yanshan Pass in the northeast, and Wangyue Pass in the west. Some of the existing city walls were damaged by wind and rain and fell into disrepair, making them completely ineffective. This allowed the Di people to take advantage of the situation.

"What do you mean?" Emperor Shengzhi paused, "building a border wall?"

"Your Majesty is wise," Xiao Yan said. "Building a border wall is a massive undertaking, but if we can strengthen defenses in the east and west, we will greatly reduce Di incursions. In the long run, this approach is feasible."

There are eight important border towns from Daning east to west, and the entire line stretches nearly 13,000 miles.

Except for the central border town, there are no border walls to defend the extension lines to the east and west. These two places are the gaps where the Di people invaded all year round.

If the gap is not blocked, the three small and five big wars will never stop. It is just building a border wall, not building an ordinary house, which only takes a day or a night.

Emperor Shengzhi thought with his hands behind his back and walked slowly in the hall.

A few moments.

He said: "What Ayan said makes sense. I will consider it in detail."

"Ever since we received the victory report a few days ago, the Queen Mother has been talking about it. If there is nothing else, please go and pay your respects."

Xiao Yan bowed and said, "I obey your order, but I still have something to report to the emperor."

"What's the matter?"

Xiao Yan said, "I would like to recommend a civilian military doctor to the emperor."

"This man is not only an expert in medicine, but also a sincere and diligent person. When our army was attacked by the Di people on the way back to the capital, many soldiers fell ill and died in a foreign land. It was he who risked his own life to run to the mountains to collect herbs, and only then were the soldiers saved."

"He also protected me from the Di people's poison. If it weren't for him, I would have died in another place long ago. This Northern Expedition is also thanks to this military doctor, who has saved our army from danger many times."

Emperor Shengzhi nodded silently and said, "It is rare to find such a loyal and responsible person in the world. He sacrificed himself to save our soldiers, which is an invaluable contribution. If Ayan can recommend someone, he must have extraordinary qualities. I agree."

"Our dynasty has been at war for years, and doctors are in short supply. This is not only true among the people, but also in my palace."

He tilted his head slightly.

"There's a vacancy for a clerk position in the Imperial Hospital. You can take the position. You don't have to start as an intern. You can learn the etiquette of the palace from Judge Gou."

"Also, in the future, practicing medicine and making medicine will require in-depth study and participation in regulatory assessments. Our dynasty is in dire need of medical professionals, so if there are any capable individuals, we will do our utmost to cultivate them. Go and announce the decree."

"I obey your order." The eunuch beside him bowed and responded.

Xiao Yan saluted and said, "Your Majesty, thank you for your permission."

In the square outside the palace, Yang Zhounan had just finished talking to the eunuch when he saw Xiao Yan walking out.

"Greetings, Marquis Dingbei." The eunuch smiled and bowed slightly.

Xiao Yan bowed slightly and said, "Thank you for your courtesy, Eunuch Gao. I'm sorry to trouble you to run an errand for me."

This eunuch Gao is also a tall and strong man, almost as tall as Yang Zhounan.

He was none other than Gao Jian, the eunuch who had served the emperor for more than twenty years and was the chief eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department.

Since he was a favorite of the emperor, the princes and ministers were naturally respectful to him, including Xiao Yan.

"You are too polite, Marquis Dingbei. This is our responsibility." Gao Jian glanced at the two of them. "We still have to pass on the imperial edict, so we won't delay any longer."

After Gao Jian left, Xiao Yan gave Yang Zhounan a brief explanation and then went to the Empress Dowager.

Outside the palace gate, the city walls were majestic and the streets were wide. Wu Ji's almond-shaped eyes were wide open, as if he had never seen such a thing before.

"This is where the emperor lives. It's so grand! This is the first time I've been so close to the palace in my life. It's all thanks to Brother Lu."

Even Su Chengfeng, who habitually said "so-so", was shocked by the solemn and majestic style of the palace. He said nothing but nodded silently.

Lu Ziqing smiled but said nothing.

Soon, two people, one old and one young, walked out of the palace gate.

After Lu Ziqing and the other two exchanged greetings, Yang Zhounan whispered something in front of him.

"My Lord has something important to attend to right now. Please follow Eunuch Gao first and wait here at twilight hour."

During the Northern Expedition, the title "General" was almost universally used in the army and became a habit.

Yang Zhounan's sudden call of "Marquis" made Lu Ziqing react for a moment before he realized who he was referring to.

For Lu Ziqing, it doesn't matter which of the two titles "General" and "Marquis" he is called.

But I don’t know why.

The latter made him feel an indescribable sense of distance and heaviness, the difference between the capital and the people outside the Great Wall.

Before Gao Jian even stepped into the Imperial Medical Bureau, an imperial physician wearing a blue official uniform, a black gauze hat, and a egret patch on his chest came up to him.

The man was well-proportioned, about fifty years old, with a mustache.

"Eunuch Gao, please wait a moment. I'll go get the medicine box."

"Don't worry, Lord Gou." Gao Jian flicked his comb and walked slowly inside. "This time, the emperor hasn't summoned you. We've sent someone to you."

Judge Gou was stunned for a moment. "Send someone away? What the eunuch means is..."

Gao Jian said, "The Emperor has issued an oral decree. The civilian military doctor, Lu, has been appointed to the Imperial Hospital. Court Judge Gou has been ordered to teach him palace etiquette, further his studies in medical practice and pharmacy, and to participate in regulatory assessments. Our dynasty is in dire need of medical professionals, and any talented individuals must be cultivated."

After receiving the imperial edict, Judge Gou respectfully sent Gao Jian away. He looked at the person standing outside the door with a serious face and looked at him for a moment.

"Tell me your name."

Lu Ziqing cupped his hands and said respectfully, "I am Lu Ziqing, and the two behind me are my assistants."

Court Judge Gou said expressionlessly, "From this moment on, once you enter the Imperial Hospital, the interns will be assistants. These two will go cut the herbs first, and the rest will be arranged later."