My Emperor Father Can Read Minds

Chapter 315 Medical Academy Enrollment

As for whether the free clinic continued to operate after the disaster relief team left, it actually did.

It was after all an experience of receiving a large donation from just one trip for disaster relief. Plus, Left Court Judge and Tan Lin, who stayed behind to dedicate themselves to the Medical Academy cause, had money, manpower, and leisure. Allocating part of the resources to continue the Free clinic work was actually no problem at all.

However, the doctors who remained no longer saw patients at the city gate but moved to Yiqi Hall inside the prefectural city of Qian Commandery.

Before Wei Yu left, this pharmacy cooperated with the government, providing follow-up medicine dispensing and subsidies for the free clinic. After the Third Prince took the disaster relief team away, Yiqi Hall continued the previous work as usual.

The doctors sitting at the pharmacy were basically Yu Pufan and other Medical Valley physicians and medical boys taking turns.

As for Left Court Judge, Tan Lin, and Shi Zhu, the three had settled into Medical Valley, focusing entirely on education.

—

Zhou Qingfang hadn’t inquired as much as Dong Sheng. After entering the prefectural city, he asked the local people on the way and only then learned about Yiqi Hall in the city.

Since they had come all this way, not seeing Yiqi Hall with their own eyes just didn’t feel right.

Dong Sheng said, “Alright.”

The two asked the locals for directions, and soon found the location of Yiqi Hall.

Just as imagined, many people were lined up outside the pharmacy—patients waiting quietly by the street, orderly and not causing any obstruction to traffic.

Seeing this scene, Zhou Qingfang couldn’t help but silently nod, “It’s rare to see the commoners behave so well; I guess it must be the rules set during the previous disaster relief.”

Dong Sheng said nothing but stared at the pharmacy’s main door for a moment and then started to step inside.

“Hey? What are you trying to do?” Zhou Qingfang quickly grabbed hold of him.

Everyone else was quietly waiting outside, but him barging in alone like that looked improper!

Dong Sheng looked at him and said, “I just want to go inside to ask a question.”

Zhou Qingfang was puzzled, “Ask a question? What do you want to ask?”

Dong Sheng did not reply and slipped past him toward Yiqi Hall.

Seeing this, Zhou Qingfang hurriedly followed and explained to the waiting patients on the side, “Sorry, we are not here for a consultation, just have a question to ask. Please forgive us, forgive us…”

Zhou Qingfang was the one literally cleaning up the mess.

Inside Yiqi Hall was not overcrowded. On one side was the medicine cabinet counter, on the other were two tables where doctors sat diagnosing patients.

There were medicine boys busily preparing prescriptions, doctors attentively treating patients, and quiet patients waiting for consultations… Everything inside the pharmacy was in plain view once you entered.

The first to notice the two and speak was a small medicine boy who had just finished preparing medicine behind the counter.

“Who are you? If you want to see a doctor, you have to queue outside.”

The little medicine boy was very young, with rosy lips and white teeth, not much taller than the counter. He stood on a small stool to prepare medicine and looked quite calm when questioning Dong Sheng.

Dong Sheng did not underestimate him due to his youth, smiled, and cupped his hands politely, “Little one, there is a misunderstanding. We are here to inquire about the Medical Valley.”

“Hmm? Medical Valley??”

Zhou Qingfang was astonished.

He turned to Dong Sheng, wanting to know how much this guy was keeping from him.

On the other side, the little boy nervously put down the medicine packet he was holding.

“Inquiring about Medical Valley? You mean Medical Academy, right? The rumors are mostly true. Now Medical Academy is enrolling students, you…”

As the disciple of the owner of Medical Valley, Zhu Ling had been more surprised than reluctant when he heard from his master that their Medical Valley was to be converted into an academy and requisitioned by the Imperial Court.

Being a child, full of curiosity, and compared to always staying in Medical Valley, Zhu Ling was thrilled when he heard he could go to the prefectural city’s free clinic. He immediately reported to his master and then followed Yu Pufan to get practical experience.

The bustling large city was indeed more attractive to children than the remote Medical Valley.

Zhu Ling adapted well in Yiqi Hall, accompanying Doctor Yu to diagnose patients while occasionally learning about the academy’s progress from his master’s side.

Since the matter of Medical Academy was not hidden from the public, and Medical Valley often attracted patients seeking treatment, Zhu Ling often heard townsfolk gossip about Medical Academy shortly after arriving in the city.

They said Medical Academy was government-run, with Imperial Physicians teaching there.

The academy enrolled three types of students: those skilled in medicine, regardless of age or gender; those who did not know medicine but were literate and eager to learn; and children aged three to seven…

Of course, what surprised the general public the most was not these facts but that attending Medical Academy was completely free!

It was volunteer teaching, seven years with no fees, free food and lodging, and twice a year they even gave out two sets of clothes!

It made people think—what kind of divine lifestyle is this?!

At this time, literacy and medical learning were beyond the reach of common people who struggled just to survive. Having food, shelter, and clothes was already fortunate, so these fantastic conditions for Medical Academy made townsfolk wary of it being a trick.

Despite rumors claiming Medical Academy was government-run, why didn’t the government post any notices in the city?

If it were true, there would be official announcements, wouldn’t there? For just enrolling school students, would the government really not bother to put up a notice? That would be beneath the government’s dignity.

The news about Medical Academy had spread, but mostly within the Huzhou region, especially near Medical Valley.

Those close by would grit their teeth and ask about it. After the school’s selection, some got in and some were turned away.

Those farther away mostly didn’t dare to go, but because they didn’t want to miss such a good opportunity, many came to inquire at Yiqi Hall.

What were they asking?

They wanted to know whether the Medical Academy was real.

Zhu Ling was used to having people ask about Medical Academy from time to time.

So when Dong Sheng and the others visited, the little medicine boy did not need detailed questions but recited the well-rehearsed explanation again.

“You two look like educated people. If you want to learn medicine, you can try to go to Medical Valley.”

Zhu Ling said this as he prepared to continue organizing medicine packets.

Unlike Zhou Qingfang, who was a bit dumbstruck when he first heard the news, Dong Sheng cupped his hands and thanked him, “Thank you, little one. We came from the capital. We are not here to learn but just to visit some old friends.”

Capital?

Old friends?

Zhu Ling paused, surprised, and looked up, “From the capital? Are you two looking for someone from the Imperial Medical Institute?”

Which elder? He wasn't sure, but at least they were fellow officials serving the same dynasty.

Dong Sheng smiled calmly and nodded.

“Yes, thank you for your help.”

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