The days when I was an obstetrician and gynecologist in Chang'an

Chapter 980 Seeds of the Poplar Tree
(Thanks to Yunxiang for casting 2 monthly votes.)
The sunrise at Yumen Pass always seems to be more magnificent than those in other places.

Three years have passed, leaving some traces of frost on Li San Niang's temples and etching the resilience and magnanimity of the frontier onto Lu Zhu'er's body.

This majestic pass, and its inhabitants, whether they are Westerners from beyond the pass or Han Chinese from within, have long since integrated into this windy and sandy land.

However, the call from Chang'an and the longing for his parents eventually brought him to the point where he had to respond.

On the day Li San Niang and her companions set off to leave Yumen Pass, many people inside the pass spontaneously saw them off, including Han Chinese and non-Han Chinese.
There were young men and young women;

They carried baskets, leather bags, and bolts of cloth, bringing out all the good things they could offer.

They threw things into Li Sanniang's arms and stuffed them into her hands. Finally, seeing that Li Sanniang couldn't carry them anymore, they all spontaneously put them onto Li Sanniang's carriage.

They had to stop when the carriage was completely full.

They were grateful for Li Sanniang's dedication and hard work at Yumen Pass over the past six years; it was her perseverance that pulled Yumen Pass back from the abyss of plague.

It was she who established this effective epidemic prevention system, protecting the peace and tranquility of the region.

Li Sanniang stood beside the carriage, returning the greetings to each of the people who came to see her off. Her gaze swept over the majestic stone tablet, her heart heavy with a mix of emotion and responsibility.

The procession that saw them off was quite impressive.

In addition to these spontaneously arrived commoners, He Lichun also brought the physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau, as well as the young men and women who had studied under Li Sanniang in recent years.

Also waiting by the roadside were Gong Xiangwu, the town magistrate, and Huang, the chief clerk of Guazhou, to see Li Sanniang off.

Li San Niang's eyes instantly reddened as she looked at He Lichun and the others.

She had thought this departure would be quiet, a silent farewell to the land she had fought for for years, and to her comrades who had fought alongside her.

But to her surprise, they all came.

Her gaze first fell on He Lichun.

The man who had steadfastly supported her from the very beginning and fought alongside her on the front lines against the epidemic had eyes that, in addition to the sorrow of parting, were unwavering determination and support, as if to say, "Go ahead and do as you please, leave this to me."

Li San Niang nodded heavily to He Lichun, and then she saw the group of physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau behind He Lichun.

Among them, some already had graying temples; some were still in their prime; and there were also young people she had personally taught suturing techniques and how to identify the properties of medicines.

At this moment, they all put down their busy work to see her off.

Li San Niang bowed slightly to them, and she saw the reluctance and blessings in their eyes, which made her choke up.

"For the past six years, I have been fortunate to fight alongside you on this land!"
Rest assured, once I return to Chang'an, I will report to the Emperor on your behalf the rewards you are due!

Wait for my news; I expect I can arrange for you to go to Chang'an for training in batches next year!

This is Li San Niang's promise to He Lichun and the other physicians of the Imperial Medical Academy!
Then, her gaze fell upon the boys and girls.

The children who had studied under her stood straight, their eyes bright. Some of the girls had tears in their eyes, but they tried hard not to cry.

They represent the seeds that Li San Niang sowed on this land, the future and hope for this place for decades to come.

Li San Niang's heart melted instantly. She took a few steps forward, stood before the children, and said in a barely perceptible tremor, yet with exceptional clarity, "The path of medicine has no limits!"

I'm gone, but Doctor He is still here, and the Imperial Medical Bureau is still here!
You must work even harder and improve your medical skills, because in the future, the people inside and outside Yumen Pass will still need your protection!
Don't let your studies go to waste, don't let yourselves down!

Her words were less a farewell and more a final lesson and encouragement. She solemnly passed the baton of inheritance to the children.

Finally, Li Sanniang looked at Gong Xiangwu and Huang Changshi, who were waiting by the roadside.

Gong Xiangwu was a martial artist with a forthright and generous nature. He clasped his hands in greeting to Li Sanniang, who was walking over, and said, "Physician Li!"

The journey to Chang'an is long!
I'm not good with words, so I'll just wish you a safe journey!
Thank you so much for saving so many men in my camp over the years!

Gong Xiangwu's words were simple, yet sincere.

Huang Changshi spoke much more subtly, bowing to Li Sanniang and saying, "Physician Li has saved countless lives at Yumen Pass and in Guazhou, and her merits are immeasurable."

Today we part ways, and the future may be long and uncertain. Take good care of yourself.

These words represent the local officials' approval and respect.

Li San Niang bowed respectfully to them: "Thank you, General Gong and Chief Secretary Huang."

Over the years, without your support, I would have been unable to put my medical skills to use.

The well-being of the people here is not solely due to my efforts, but also to the efforts of the two leaders who have been guarding the area and coordinating overall efforts.

This kindness and affection will be forever etched in San Niang's heart.

When we return to Chang'an and meet the Emperor, I will certainly speak on your behalf!

Her words expressed her gratitude and subtly acknowledged the other party's achievements, giving them ample face and making Gong and Huang extremely pleased. She even said she would recommend them for commendation!

That was a saint!
Even if they don't get promoted in the future, just being able to show their face in front of the emperor is something that officials from remote places like them wouldn't dare to dream of.

After doing all this, Li San Niang took a deep breath, suppressing all her emotions of gratitude, reluctance, and concern.

She stopped looking; she was afraid that if she continued, she would really burst into tears.

She resolutely turned around and, with the help of Qiu Xiang and Lu Zhu'er, boarded the carriage.

The carriage curtain was drawn, separating the inside from the outside.

With a shout from the tenth elder, the carriage slowly started moving, its wheels rumbling as it drove away from the land to which she had poured countless efforts.

Along both sides of the official road, people led by He Lichun and the Imperial Medical Bureau stood for a long time, watching the carriage disappear into the distance until it became a small black dot and finally disappeared into the horizon.

Inside the carriage, Li San Niang finally closed her eyes, and two lines of clear tears silently slid down her cheeks.

But in those tears, besides the sorrow of parting, there was also a great deal of relief.

She knew that what she left behind was not just a memory, but a well-functioning medical facility, a group of experienced doctors, and a group of hopeful seeds.

Her departure is not the end, but another beginning.

The changes she brought about have taken deep root in this land, like the seeds of a poplar tree, and will surely flourish in the future.

This farewell was the highest praise for her hard work over the past few years, and it also instilled boundless warmth and courage in her journey to Chang'an.

　Thank you Yunxiang for casting 2 monthly votes.

　　Thank you so much for your support and encouragement!
　　(End of this chapter)