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

Chapter 992 "However, Minister Li's achievements go far beyond this."

(Thanks to Lin for supporting 1000 points.)
Today is the first grand court assembly after the New Year. Inside the Xuande Hall, civil and military officials stood in order, the atmosphere solemn but slightly somber.

However, many people's eyes were drawn, intentionally or unintentionally, to a female official standing at the back of the Imperial Medical Bureau's formation—she was dressed in a scarlet official robe, her face showing signs of hardship, but her eyes were calm and serene.

This was Li San Niang, who had just returned home from the Daming Palace a few days prior.

Having spent six years at Yumen Pass, Li Sanniang left an indelible mark on herself.

She was naturally aware of the way others were looking at her.

However, she merely lowered her eyes slightly, as if the undercurrents of gazes in the hall had nothing to do with her.

On his throne, Emperor Wu's majesty grew stronger day by day.

The grand assembly began in this orderly manner.

Li Sanniang stood obediently in her own spot with the officials of the Imperial Medical Bureau, listening as the ministers stepped forward one by one to report various matters to Emperor Wu.

Nearly an hour had passed, and Li Sanniang carefully moved her ankles, which had become somewhat stiff from standing for so long.

She thought to herself that the routine grand court assembly should be over in about half an hour.

Just then, Li Sanniang suddenly heard Emperor Wu, who was sitting at the head of the table, speak.

Empress Wu, seated at the highest point, swept her gaze across the assembled officials before finally settling on Li San Niang, who had her head bowed.

Empress Wu spoke slowly, her voice loud and steady: "As you all know, more than six years ago, a major epidemic broke out at Yumen Pass. The situation was critical and almost shook the very foundation of the border."

At that time, it was Li Mingfang, a fifth-rank physician in the Imperial Medical Bureau, who was the first to discover the epidemic, rushed to the dangerous place, and turned the tide amidst all difficulties.

She not only contained the epidemic, but also established methods of epidemic prevention, saving countless lives and ensuring the peace of the western border of our Great Tang Dynasty.

Previously, she had even saved Du Qinghui, a high-ranking official of the Tang Dynasty, from certain death in Liangzhou;

This is how the villain's plot was thwarted.

Li Mingfang, her contributions to the country and its people are immeasurable!

The Empress's voice echoed in the spacious hall, every word she uttered was crystal clear.

Many officials nodded slightly. Although the Yumen Pass was located far on the frontier, its importance was known to everyone in the court and among the people.
If Li San Niang hadn't gone to control the epidemic, it wouldn't have been just a matter of a few people dying.

The matter of Du Qinghui caused a great stir in the imperial court.

The bloodstains on the high platform on Suzaku Avenue are still there today.

Emperor Wu continued, "However, Minister Li's contributions go far beyond this."

Looking back on his twenty years in the Imperial Medical Academy, everything he advocated and built benefited countless people of our dynasty.

She pioneered the "Maternity Clinic" in Chang'an, which was dedicated to women's childbirth and saved countless mothers and babies.

By opening "midwife training schools" to teach midwifery skills and standardize the practice of midwives, the profession can be properly recognized.
The "Women's Assistance Association" was established to help orphaned and helpless women, teach them skills, and enable them to support themselves in the world.

In the field of surgery, he used the method of distilling strong wine to obtain alcohol for disinfection, thus saving the lives of many soldiers.

He also widely taught many secret techniques to doctors, such as "method of prolonging life by regulating qi", "method of relieving esophageal obstruction", "method of opening the throat", "suturing wounds", and "stopping bleeding and bandaging".
The proposal calls for the establishment of a "Hall for Exchanging Physicians' Secret Techniques and Prescriptions" and a "Physicians' Exchange Conference" to gather the essence of medicine from all over the world.
Promote the establishment of a system where "common medicines are available to the common people and tonics are available to the wealthy," so that common people can obtain medicines that are inexpensive and effective.
His writing of "The Great Treatise on Obstetrics" and "Essentials of Ulcer Treatment" and their publication in prefectures and counties demonstrate his benevolent heart.

She devoted herself wholeheartedly to establishing the "Ping'an Women's Medical College," recruiting ambitious women to learn medical skills and pioneering the study of medicine for women. Her contributions to cultivating excellent doctors for the Tang Dynasty will last for generations!

Emperor Wu's tone gradually rose, his praise for Li San Niang's merits undisguised: "What Li Qing has done is of great importance to the population growth, people's well-being, and the inheritance of education in our Great Tang! As a woman, she has performed such great deeds, her heart is commendable and her actions are worthy of praise!"

How could I, the Emperor, not reward him?

Emperor Wu paused briefly at this point, his gaze sweeping across the entire room like lightning, before finally declaring in a deep voice: "Therefore, I have decided to promote Li Mingfang, the chief physician of the Imperial Medical Bureau, to the rank of a third-grade chief physician, as an exception to the usual practice!"

He was in charge of all matters concerning the 'Maternity and Child Health Clinic' and was specially permitted to establish an independent office within the 'Peaceful Women's Medical College,' which was also concurrently headed by Li Qing!
"What do you all think?"

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent for a moment, then a suppressed buzzing sound filled the air.

A third-rank official!
Chief Physician of the Imperial Medical Bureau!

This is a truly important position in the imperial court!
Many officials never reached the fifth rank in their entire lives, and died as minor officials.

Not to mention Li Sanniang, who served as an official in the imperial court as a woman, she rose step by step to the rank of fifth-grade official in just twenty years with the tacit approval of Emperor Wu!
Even though Li Sanniang has made great contributions, it doesn't mean she should be promoted to a third-rank official just like that!

A third-rank official is comparable to a marquis!

Moreover, according to what Emperor Wu said, he actually allowed Li San Niang to open a separate "Obstetrics and Gynecology" department within the Imperial Medical Bureau. Such power is extraordinary!

Which of the past directors of the Imperial Medical Bureau did not climb to such a position in their fifties or sixties by relying on seniority?

Historically, those who could manage the Imperial Medical Bureau were either renowned physicians or ministers highly trusted by the emperor; there had never been a woman in this position before!

Not to mention, Emperor Wu also said that Li Sanniang should concurrently lead the "Ping'an Women's Medical College"!
You should know that before, Li San Niang was just a figurehead!
The person in charge of all that stuff is someone else!

Those of low rank and humble position sighed inwardly—the Emperor's favor towards Physician Li, or rather, Director Li, was truly remarkable.

However, just as Emperor Wu had predicted, soon enough, voices of doubt arose in the hall.

An elderly official dressed in purple robes stepped forward first. He was Cui Yan, the Minister of Rites. His face was stern, and he bowed with his tablet in hand: "Your Majesty!"
We have heard of Physician Li's merits, and they are indeed commendable.

However, the position of Director of the Imperial Medical Bureau is of great importance and cannot be filled by anyone but a person of high moral character, prestige, and extensive experience.

Although Physician Li has made contributions to the border, she is still relatively inexperienced and, being a woman, it is unlikely that she can command respect and that this position is not in accordance with proper etiquette.

We urge Your Majesty to reconsider!

No sooner had Cui Yan finished speaking than another imperial censor stepped forward, his words even more scathing: "Your Majesty!"
Although the maternity ward, midwifery school, and women's support association established by Dr. Li had their merits, at their core they were still matters concerning women and women, trivial and insignificant, and could not be compared with important national affairs.

To promote someone to the third rank for this reason would be an excessive reward, potentially opening a path for personal advancement and discouraging scholars from all over the land!

Following this, several other officials seconded the motion, with similar comments, mainly regarding "seniority," "gender," "the triviality of their duties," and "the difficulty in gaining public approval."

Emperor Wu, seated at the head of the table, maintained his composure, but his eyes turned slightly cold.

She did not immediately refute these people, but instead turned her gaze to Li San Niang, who had remained silent: "Minister Li, what do you have to say about what you have all said?"

Thank you Lin for your support of 1000 points.

Thank you so much for your support and encouragement!
"Life-Sustaining Method" (CPR)

"Heimlich maneuver"

"Throat opening" (cricothyroid membrane puncture)

"Wound suturing" (surgical debridement and suturing)

"Hemostasis and wound dressing" (surgical emergency bandaging)