People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 18, A New Approach to Seeking Good Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune

The next day, Xu Qing went to the Imperial Hospital as usual to clock in, take pulses, handle the pharmacy affairs, and read medical books. The peaceful day passed in the blink of an eye.

On the third day, Xu Qing did not go to the Imperial Hospital to report for duty. Instead, he went directly to examine Consort Hu's pulse. After examining her pulse, he waited for Physician Wang at the palace gate. Today was the day he would go with Physician Wang to purchase medicinal herbs.

Xu Qing stood alone outside the palace gate, and soon three carriages drove out from inside the palace gate.

The carriage stopped in front of Xu Qing, and Physician Wang lifted the curtain and spoke to Xu Qing.
"Xiao Xu, get in the car."

Xu Qing nodded and got into the carriage, sitting in the seat below Physician Wang.

"Are the carriages behind us also going to purchase medicinal herbs?" Xu Qing asked curiously.

"That's right, the carriage behind is for our Imperial Medical Academy's physicians, and the other one is for transporting medicinal herbs," explained Physician Wang.

"Today's ostensibly for purchasing medicinal herbs, we're actually going to inspect them. For many years, the palace's herbs have been supplied by designated personnel, with the Imperial Medical Academy responsible for checking their quality. After confirming the herbs are correct, we'll also browse the pharmacy to see if there are any other good herbs. If so, we'll reserve them first, then have the Imperial Household Department pay for them and load them onto the carriages behind us for transport."

Physician Wang explained the process of purchasing medicinal herbs to Xu Qing, who listened attentively.

He had previously found it strange that the Imperial Medical Academy needed to purchase its own medicines, but after Physician Wang's explanation, he understood the reason.

The pharmacy was located in the eastern part of Xinzheng City. As soon as you entered the market, you were surrounded by shouts of vendors. Pedestrians and merchants on the road also made way for the Imperial Medical Academy's carriage.

Although the Imperial Medical Academy didn't have much real power, it was still an official institution, and ordinary people like them couldn't afford to offend it.

Xu Qing lifted the carriage curtain to look outside. The stalls on the street sold all sorts of things, but the most common were various kinds of herbs. Clearly, this street and the surrounding area had become a large-scale herb trading market in Xinzheng City, which explained why the medicine shop was located here.

The carriage gradually came to a stop, and Xu Qing and the others arrived at their destination.

Xu Qing helped Physician Wang down from the carriage. A dozen or so merchants were already waiting for them at the entrance of the pharmacy.

Upon seeing Physician Wang, the merchants all stepped forward to pay their respects.

"Greetings to the Imperial Physician and all the Imperial Physicians."

"We're all old friends, no need for such formalities. Today, let me introduce a new friend to you all. This is my new imperial physician, Xu Qing, Physician Xu."

"He personally cured Consort Hu's anorexia, and was favored by Lady Mingzhu and valued by the King."

Physician Wang introduced Xu Qing to more than a dozen merchants.

The merchants looked at Xu Qing in surprise. They were no fools to have built such a large business, and they naturally understood the meaning behind Physician Wang's words.

From now on, Xu Qing will be the new Imperial Physician.

"So it's Physician Xu. He truly has a distinguished bearing and is a promising young man."

"Yes, yes, that explains why magpies landed on my door today. It turns out I was going to meet a talented young man like Physician Xu today."

A dozen or so people praised Xu Qing, one after another.

"Xu Qing greets everyone," Xu Qing replied with a smile.

"Alright, the important matter is at hand. Have all the medicinal herbs for this year been prepared?" Physician Wang asked.

After everyone finished praising Xu Qing, they said in unison...

"Everything is ready. Please have the Imperial Physician inspect it."

"it is good."

Physician Wang led Xu Qing and a group of medical officers into the pharmacy. Upon entering the warehouse, they saw bags of various medicinal herbs that had been prepared.

"You must carefully inspect this place and make sure there are no mistakes."

"Yes, sir." At his command, many medical officers stepped forward to examine the quality and age of the medicinal herbs, while Xu Qing stayed behind to supervise. Imperial Physician Wang left with a dozen or so merchants, and no one knew where they were going.

Xu Qing wasn't really idle either; instead, he joined the medical officers in examining the quality of the medicinal herbs.

Of course, Xu Qing couldn't tell anything, but that didn't mean the others couldn't. While examining the herbs, Xu Qing asked the other physicians how to distinguish between good and bad medicinal materials.

The physicians understood that Xu Qing was currently the most powerful figure in the Imperial Medical Academy. Once Physician Wang retired, with the backing of Consort Hu and Lady Mingzhu, he was the most likely to take over the Imperial Medical Academy. Therefore, they didn't hold back and patiently explained to Xu Qing how to distinguish between the two.

Inspecting medicinal materials is not difficult; as long as you know the tricks, you can finish the inspection quickly. However, the quantity of medicinal materials in the warehouse is huge, and it takes a lot of time.

The inspection continued until the afternoon, during which time the merchants provided them with fine wine and food.

"Physician Wang, the tests are complete, and everything is satisfactory," Xu Qing reported as he stepped forward.

"Hmm, very good." Physician Wang said to the merchants, "Someone will come to collect these medicinal herbs later."

"Thank you for your help, Physician Wang, Physician Xu, and all the other physicians. We have prepared some small gifts, but it would be inconvenient for you to take them all. We will send them to your residence later." The merchants were not surprised by this outcome, after all, they had spent a lot of money to bribe officials in order to finalize this deal.

The imperial physician and the other medical officers also smiled.

Xu Qing understood immediately: this was nothing but taking kickbacks.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. They're the ones who suffer, and besides, it's Han Wang'an's money that's being spent. Why not take the kickback?

Given the situation in South Korea, the fact that they didn't smuggle the medicinal herbs from the pharmacy is already a testament to their loyalty to King Han An. If Puyi had encountered them, the burning of the Forbidden City's treasury would never have happened.

After exchanging a few more polite words with the merchants, the Imperial Physician Wang dismissed them, leaving only the staff of the Imperial Hospital behind.

"The matter has been settled. Now everyone is free to wander around and see if there are any high-quality medicinal herbs," said Physician Wang.

"Yes." The crowd said yes, but they did not leave. They habitually followed Physician Wang to browse the pharmacy.

"Xiao Xu, what about you? Will you come with us for a stroll, or go for a look on your own?" Doctor Wang asked Xu Qing.

Just as Xu Qing was about to speak, the light sphere in his mind lit up again, and three signatures flew out from it.

[After the procurement was completed, the Imperial Physician invited them to stroll through the pharmacy before they parted ways, their fates in the hands of destiny.]

[A moderately auspicious sign. Accept the invitation and proceed to the Western District without encountering any complications. You will receive a third-rank opportunity that will affect your future prospects. Auspicious.]

[I've won the lottery, but I refuse to wander around. I wait for everyone to return, and for the storm to subside. I've gained nothing, lost nothing; all is well.]

[A poor omen. Traveling with others, you will encounter a fright, but escape unharmed; however, endless troubles will follow. A very unlucky sign!]

As Xu Qing read the fortune slip, her eyes flashed.

Stay where you are and wait for everyone to return. This will help you avoid the impending storm and ensure your safety and well-being.

However, traveling with a group of people can lead to either good or bad fortune, and the good or bad fortune will not only affect the present but may even affect the future. This is the first time.

"I have little experience, so it's good to learn from everyone," Xu Qing said with a smile.

"Those who came out this time all have exceptional insight. Little Xu, you should learn from them," Physician Wang said with a smile.

Physician Wang was pleased with Xu Qing's sociability. After all, no matter how powerful a person is, they cannot maintain their position if they don't get along well with their subordinates.

He had already placed his bets on Xu Qing, naturally hoping that Xu Qing could truly become the next Imperial Physician. In the future, when his descendants entered the Imperial Hospital, with this family lineage, Xu Qing would be able to take good care of them.

"Hahaha." Everyone laughed. They were happy to have Xu Qing with them, as it would give them a chance to befriend him.

After agreeing on their plans, everyone left the warehouse and began to stroll around the market outside.

(End of this chapter)