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

Chapter 993 "Please present your reasoning and debate with me!"

(Thanks to Xingyouxinqi for supporting 198 points during the Lesser Heat.)
In an instant, all the officials in the court focused their attention on Li San Niang.

Some were worried, some were just watching the spectacle, some were disdainful, and some were expectant.

Li Sanniang took a deep breath, calmly stepped forward, walked to the center of the hall, and bowed deeply to Emperor Wu at the head of the table.

Then, she straightened up, her gaze calmly sweeping over the officials who had raised questions, and slowly said, "According to Minister Cui, I am still relatively inexperienced."
I have been working in the Imperial Medical Bureau for almost twenty years now.

It has been more than six years since I returned from Yumen Pass.

For nearly twenty years, I have never slacked off for a single day.

Minister Cui, what qualifications are required to be considered 'profound'?
Should one spend their life immersed in scholarly pursuits, or should one genuinely save the people from their suffering and alleviate the worries of the sages?

Cui Yan's expression froze, and he snorted, but could not refute it.

Nearly twenty years have passed, which is indeed a considerable amount of time. Moreover, Li San Niang's achievements are genuine and have been witnessed by everyone.

Li Sanniang seemed oblivious to the disdain in Cui Yan's snort, and continued, "As for what Imperial Censor Wang said, the matters under my jurisdiction are those of women, trivial and insignificant."

Li San Niang paused, then her voice suddenly rose a few decibels, carrying an undeniable power, "May I ask Imperial Censor Wang, who in this world is not born of a mother?"
Who doesn't have a wife and daughters?
Childbirth is a matter of life and death for women; it is no trivial matter.

Every year, tens of thousands of women die in childbirth and tens of thousands of infants die due to inadequate care!

The women and children who survived thanks to the new midwifery method I promoted—aren't these living people the foundation of the nation?
Could it be that what I saved is not the happiness of countless families, nor the future of our Great Tang Dynasty?

Are these thousands of lives insignificant in the eyes of Imperial Censor Wang?

"May I ask, without a sound and healthy populace, where will a strong army come from? Where will sufficient labor come from? Where will the source of tax revenue come from?"

Censor Wang's face flushed red with anger at Li Sanniang's repeated questioning: "That's not what I meant."

“I have established a midwifery school to standardize midwifery techniques, so that traditional midwives will not harm people’s lives with their ignorant methods. This is a meritorious deed.”
Furthermore, the purpose of the Women's Aid Association is to help the poor and needy so that they do not end up in prostitution or starve to death on the streets.
Is it not a good thing to teach them skills so that they can work and support themselves, thus reducing the risk of them going astray?

Li Sanniang's words were sharp, and she continued to press Imperial Censor Wang step by step, "The 'Peaceful Women's Medical College' on the outskirts of Chang'an City recruits ambitious women, trains doctors, and makes up for the shortage of female doctors in the Imperial Medical Bureau."

Am I also wrong in what I did?
If there are not enough medical personnel, how can we cope with the major epidemic at Yumen Pass?

Could it be that all the officials in this vast Xuande Hall believe that only men holding scriptures and discussing strategies for governing the country are of great importance?
Are these real human lives and tangible livelihoods truly insignificant?

Li San Niang's voice echoed in the main hall, resounding and silencing those who had questioned her.

Her words were not flowery, nor did she quote any classical texts; she simply recounted the facts of what she had done.

Many of the originally neutral officials couldn't help but nod slightly after hearing what Li San Niang said.

Li Sanniang then turned to Emperor Wu and bowed to him again: "Your Majesty, I am not doing this for fame or fortune."

However, I know very well that the way of a physician lies in saving lives. The higher one's position, the more people one can save and the greater the good deeds one can perform.

The position of Director of the Imperial Medical Bureau is not an honor for me, but rather a powerful tool in my hands to save more people, train more skilled doctors, and implement better medical policies!

Li San Niang was still speaking, but her explanation and response completely sealed the deal that Emperor Wu had promoted her to the third rank!
Cui Yan, who was standing in front of Li San Niang, wanted to interrupt after hearing what Li San Niang said, but Li San Niang would not give him the chance.

Li Sanniang was speaking to Emperor Wu, but in reality, she was addressing the officials in the court: "When I was at Yumen Pass, I saw countless soldiers and civilians die from the plague, all because the local medical administration was ineffective and the epidemic prevention was lacking!"
Although the epidemic prevention methods I established are effective, they are difficult to extend to all prefectures and counties of our Great Tang Dynasty due to the limitations of my authority.

Since His Majesty is willing to grant me the position of Director of the Imperial Medical Bureau, I can then promote the effective epidemic prevention methods that have been tested at the border over the years to the whole country, so that the millions of people of our Great Tang can suffer less from epidemics!

Not only these epidemic prevention methods, but I also intend to travel to maternity wards in all prefectures and cities of the Tang Dynasty, so that these methods of childbirth assistance can be obtained not only in Chang'an, the capital of the Sage. My wish is that no more women and infants will die in childbirth within the territory of the Tang Dynasty!

Li Sanniang raised her head, her gaze burning with sincerity and conviction: "Sage, everyone!"

Medicine is a matter of great importance to the nation, a matter of life and death, a matter of survival and destruction; it must be carefully considered!

What I seek is not a high position and great power, but to use this position to do greater good, save more people, and strengthen the foundation of the people of my Great Tang!
Heaven and earth bear witness to this heart and this will!
"If anyone thinks that I am unfit for this position because I am a woman, or that what I have done is insignificant," Li Sanniang looked around again at the doubters led by Cui Yan, her voice firm and powerful, "please present your reasoning and debate with me!"
If I am truly incompetent, I will abdicate and yield the position to a more worthy person without any complaints!

Li San Niang's words were passionate, reasonable, and full of emotion and determination!
He not only refuted the doubts of Cui Yan and others, but also clarified his lofty ideals and aspirations.

Inside the main hall, all was silent.

Many of the officials were deeply moved by Li San Niang's words.

Yes, doctors save lives and heal the wounded; this is a great act of merit.

Moreover, Li San Niang did such an excellent job and thought so far ahead!

Moreover, she plans to continue doing more things for the Tang Dynasty that benefit the people and the entire Tang Dynasty in the future!

Even those officials who initially opposed the marriage were now speechless, choked by Li San Niang's series of irrefutable facts.

They can uphold etiquette and rules, but they cannot deny the millions of lives that survived because of Li San Niang, and the significance of these lives to the Tang Dynasty.

Emperor Wu finally smiled with satisfaction. She wanted Li San Niang to step forward and use her achievements to silence the gossip of the world!

At this moment, the officials who were on good terms with Li Sanniang or who had benefited from her stepped forward to support her.

A military general boomed, “Sage!”
Doctor Li has saved the lives of countless people at Yumen Pass and has given our border troops a second life!
If she is not up to the task, I do not know who else is capable of taking on the responsibility!

I support Physician Li!

An imperial censor of humble origins said, “Your Majesty, I believe that Physician Li’s actions are truly benevolent and virtuous deeds, not mere empty words!”

Thank you for your support of 198 points during the Lesser Heat solar term.

Thank you so much for your support and encouragement!