minions live

Chapter 756 Where to go
Whether from hunger or nervousness, Li Azhu swallowed hard.

"What do I need to pay if I enroll?"

Despite being illiterate, she understood that every gain comes with a price, and that nothing comes for free.

"After completing your studies, will you enter the palace or a household as a slave or maid?"

hum-

Upon hearing this, the noise in the square subsided somewhat.

Many people who were already interested stopped in their tracks after hearing Li Azhu's words.

The refugees used the sky as their bed and the ground as their blanket, living in constant fear of starvation, but at least they had a clean identity.

The children and grandchildren may be impoverished, but at least they will have the opportunity to study and improve themselves.

Although the chances are small and slim, for ordinary people like them, it is always a glimmer of hope.

No one knows when the ancestral graves will emit fragrant smoke, and from then on, the family and clan will rise to prominence.

However, once you become a slave, you might be able to have enough to eat for a day.

But unless someone redeems them, they will be slaves for life and even for their descendants.

Forget about making a name for themselves, they can't even keep their own surname.

This is something that ordinary people, for whom the world is no bigger than their ancestors, can hardly accept.

Furthermore, being a slave or maid turns one into a mere object; if one encounters a kind master, things are alright.

If you encounter a bad master, you could be beaten to death, given away, or even sold into a brothel at any time.

At that time, you'll be left helpless, unable to call out to anyone...

Haha.

On the high platform, Xiao Dingzi looked up and laughed loudly.

“That’s a good question. Even if this young lady hadn’t asked, I would have made it clear beforehand.”

After saying this, he turned and bowed respectfully in the direction of the palace.

"This medical school was established under the personal approval and supervision of His Majesty, and the name of the school was written by the current Grand Tutor himself. Like the Imperial Academy, its legitimacy and authority are beyond question."

"Students who complete their studies here will be granted the status of Imperial Physician."

"Like any doctor, they are free individuals. They and their descendants can freely migrate, marry, choose careers, and even study and become officials without any restrictions."

Silence fell over the room.

Including Li Azhu who stood up, no one moved, whether they were engrossed in listening or not.

Xiao Dingzi was not surprised at all.

He glanced at everyone's reactions and continued speaking.

"Of course, there's no such thing as a free lunch. I understand your concerns, and I'm well aware that you would rather be refugees than go to the city to become slaves."

"As the saying goes, lambs kneel to suckle their mothers, and crows feed their parents. Since the Empire is providing this medical school to you all free of charge, you should contribute your strength to the Empire after you graduate."

"After all that rambling, we've finally gotten to the point," someone below couldn't help but shout, "So, what exactly is this contribution?"

Haha.

"Good question." Little Dingzi wasn't angry, and burst into laughter again.

"After graduation, those with excellent grades can stay on as teachers at the university. In addition, there are two other options."

“First,” he held up a finger, “to practice medicine for ten years in counties where the empire urgently needs doctors. Of course, the local government will prepare the clinics and hospitals where you will work, as well as the corresponding medicines.”

"Secondly," before the crowd below could react, Xiao Dingzi raised a second finger.

"Serve as a military doctor in various legions of the Empire for ten years."

"Of course, whether you go to the local area or the frontier, as long as you save lives and heal the wounded and perform the duties of a doctor, the court will pay you the corresponding salary."

"When the ten-year term is up, if you wish to remain in office, the court welcomes you; if you intend to leave to make a living on your own, such as by starting your own clinic or pharmacy, the court will not stop you."

Everyone looked at each other.

Some people are tempted, while others hesitate.

Ten years is not a long time.

However, in this world, it is rare for someone to live to sixty.

In addition to the time spent studying, how much time can I spend with my family?
This is a problem.

But if you really master the skill, your family will have a skill. It may not bring wealth and luxury, but at least you won't have to worry about food and clothing anymore.

The crowd hesitated.

However, Li Azhu, who was the first to step forward, glanced at Miao Dong's figure again, bit her dry, yellow braid, and walked straight up to him.

She bowed deeply to the ground.

“If the academy really accepts female disciples, I, Li Azhu, am interested in enrolling.”

She was already all alone, and now it was the dead of winter; she was starving and freezing, and could die at any moment.

Since that's the case, why not enroll in school and learn a medical skill?

As for the future, she hadn't thought about it.

But in any case, it's better than starving or freezing to death on the streets. "Girl," someone called out to her, "you really believe what he said?"

Although the people were poor and had little education, they were all shrewd and clever to have survived to this day.

Despite the fact that the imperial court gave graduates two choices, in reality, 90% of the first batch of students ended up in various military units.

Legion, that means going to the front lines with the army.

Many of them became refugees because they were fleeing war.

cough.

Madam Zhang stepped forward at the opportune moment.

"Master," Xiao Dingzi breathed a sigh of relief, "you've arrived."

Madam Zhang smiled slightly, "Give me the microphone, go drink some soup to warm yourself up."

"Alright," Little Dingzi readily agreed.

hum~
The line below was very long. Apart from the person at the very front staring at the porridge stall and swallowing hard, most of the other people's attention was on the platform, which caused a stir.

"Look, it's Doctor Zhang."

Although Yun Chui is vast, female doctors and female merchants are few and far between.

People love gossip, and even if they've never met Madam Zhang, they've probably heard of her.

Especially in the slums along the Xinglan Grand Canal, the name of the "Goddess Doctor" is known to everyone.

"Is it that divine doctor?"

"Yes, it's her."

"She's a living saint! Not only is she kind-hearted, but she's also incredibly skilled in medicine. My child almost died from convulsions last time, but she pulled him back from the brink of death."

"so smart!"

"I heard she was a military doctor at the Rocky Frontier Fortress. Could she be teaching at some medical school?"

……

Amidst the chaos, Madam Zhang's smile remained unchanged.

"Greetings, fellow villagers! While waiting for my porridge, I'd like to chat with you all. Does anyone recognize me, Granny Zhang?"

whee.

A burst of laughter, mixed with joy and surprise, followed.

"I recognize you."

"Doctor, you're joking. Who doesn't recognize you?"

"That's right, everyone in the southern suburbs knows you're a reincarnation of Guanyin with unparalleled medical skills."

……

After a long while, the audience quieted down.

"Thank you all for your praise, but I am deeply ashamed."

After saying that, Madam Zhang smiled and gestured towards the gate behind her.

"Coincidentally, I am also a teacher at this medical school, and I will be responsible for teaching students trauma treatment and internal medicine diagnosis in the future."

After speaking, Madam Zhang's gaze fell on Li Azhu.

"I wonder if anyone would like to be one of my first students?"

Li Azhu was so excited that her face lit up, and she hurried a few steps.

“Disciple Li Azhu greets Master.”

"Very good." Seeing this, Madam Zhang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

After exchanging a few words with Li Azhu and ensuring that the college staff would take good care of her, she turned her attention back to the square in front of her.

"Fellow citizens, the medical school behind us is the first medical school established by the empire. It is under the jurisdiction of the Grand Tutor's Office and has a status equal to that of the Imperial Academy. It is part of the imperial court, and all the promises made have been approved by His Majesty and the court."

"As the saying goes, a ruler's word is law, so you don't need to worry that what we said or the promises we made were exaggerated or unfounded."

Before anyone could react, Madam Zhang continued speaking.

"As for what my fellow villagers are most concerned about—where they will go after completing their studies—I understand."

"Here, on behalf of the academy, I can assure all prospective students that if any graduate join the legion and become a military doctor, there is no need to worry too much."

As she said this, she pointed to herself.

"Because I was meant to be sent back. As a military doctor, I mostly treated the wounded in the rear, where the danger was not great."

"Of course, the battlefield is dangerous and anything can happen. If you are injured or killed in action, you and your family will enjoy the same treatment as the soldiers and their relatives of the Empire."

These words caused a stir in the square.

Everyone looked at each other, their faces flushed.

Since Ren Ning took office, the treatment of the imperial soldiers has been greatly improved.

The newspapers repeatedly publicized it, and many of them had heard of it.