Da Ming: Father, step aside, I'll be the prime minister!

Chapter 68 Joining my sect guarantees a bright future

Beneath the plaque of "Renmin Pharmaceutical Factory No. 1", Yang Jishi wept bitterly and recounted in detail the whole story of how his son, Yang Tiancheng, fell ill.

Rather than a narrative, it is more of a release of Yang Jishi's inner self.

"The quack doctor Yang Jishi practiced medicine for decades. He considered himself a top physician in the Imperial Medical Academy, believing himself to be the best in the land. He used to be engrossed in ancient medical books, regarding them as the ultimate guide, and firmly believed that by following ancient methods, he could bring the dead back to life."
But these past few days, my son Yang Tiancheng has fallen seriously ill, and I have finally come to my senses.

What profound truths or miraculous remedies are there in this world? Times change, and even the most exquisite prescriptions of the past cannot cure the ailments of those times.
Previously, Ji Shi was extremely pedantic and regarded Mr. You's garlic extract as heretical, but unexpectedly, his son's life was saved by Mr. You's miraculous medicine!
Now, my regret and remorse are beyond words. I sincerely turn back now and hope that you will not abandon me and will use the garlic method to save the people from suffering!
The quack doctor Yang Jishi earnestly begs Mr. Zhang to save the people of the world!

Zhang Yunxiu was stunned for a moment. It seemed that his son's illness had completely shattered all the old father's persistence and pride, causing him to change so drastically in just two days.

Yang Jishi's words were undeniably sincere, even moving Zhang Yunxiu to some extent.

This doctor may be pedantic or foolish, but he is not a bad person. He has both a benevolent heart that cares for all people and the deep love of a father for his child.

"Why is Imperial Physician Yang doing this?"

With a sigh, Zhang Yunxiu gently helped Yang Jishi up. Yang's arms were trembling, and he could barely stand by relying on his own strength.

"Mr. Zhang, I..." Yang Jishi's eyes were also brimming with tears.

Zhang Yunxiu reached out and pressed it down.

"Physician Yang, there's no need for further words. I am very pleased that you have come to your senses. Since you are willing to call me 'Master,' I will naturally regard you as my top disciple from now on. In the future, I will entrust you with the important matters of the garlic extract experiment and the Renmin Medical Hall. You must do your best to help the people of the capital."

"Sir, I am truly ashamed of what you say. Ah?" Yang Jishi stopped crying and looked at Zhang Yunxiu with some surprise.

Suddenly realized something was wrong.

But Zhang Yunxiu said without batting an eye, "After much thought, I think it's more suitable for you to run Renmin Medical Clinic. Although I am well-read, I still lack experience in running a medical clinic. You should work hard and not disappoint me!"

Yang Jishi, who was calling out "Mr. Zhang," felt his tongue was spinning and he could barely speak. "When did I become an apprentice?"

He admired Zhang Yunxiu greatly, but he was almost old enough to be Zhang's grandfather.

Becoming an apprentice? Yang Jishi was a well-known doctor in the Ming Dynasty. If word got out, wouldn't he become a laughing stock in the medical community?

Suddenly, a thought popped into his head: Was Zhang Yunxiu taking advantage of someone in distress?
"What? You're unwilling?" Zhang Yunxiu's face hardened, somewhat displeased. "Imperial Physician Yang addresses me as 'Master,' doesn't that mean he intends to become my disciple? I saw your sincerity in your words, which is why I'm willing to take you on as a student. Does Imperial Physician Yang think I, Zhang Yunxiu, am unworthy to be your mentor?"

Yang Jishi shuddered and quickly waved his hand, saying, "No, no, I wouldn't dare."

"If Imperial Physician Yang finds it too much to bear, then let it be," Zhang Yunxiu said with a sigh, full of regret.

“His Majesty previously decreed that fifty imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy would be transferred to us. After much consideration, I think that if you become my disciple, these imperial physicians and clerks from the Imperial Medical Academy will be taken under the tutelage of Renmin Medical Hall and will all be under your command.”

"Your Majesty wants to disband the Imperial Medical Academy?" Yang Jishi was startled.

“What do you mean by dismissal? This is called reorganization!” Zhang Yunxiu said emphatically. “The reorganized doctors will join my Renmin Medical Hall and retain their original positions in the Imperial Medical Academy. From now on, they will not only benefit the people, but also serve His Majesty. Don’t you know which is more important?”

In fact, Zhang Yunxiu intended to establish a separate department, breaking away from the original Imperial Medical Academy structure, and gradually promote the development of modern medicine in the Ming Dynasty.

But that would obviously be taking too big a step.

"really?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Jishi immediately perked up.

He used to be a physician in the Imperial Medical Academy, a low-ranking official of the eighth rank, with a group of ninth-rank and unranked clerks under his command.

There is little turnover in the Imperial Medical Academy. If you want to be promoted, you can only wait until the chief physician and the director of the Imperial Medical Academy retire.

But Gong Tingxian, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, is the same age as him. How could he possibly outlive him? If he could take charge of the Renmin Medical Hall, it would be a completely different story. This was appointed by the Emperor himself!
After the "garlic extract" cured the disease, Yang Jishi could already foresee the future importance of Renmin Medical Clinic to the Ming Dynasty.

In terms of rank, future prospects, and the benevolence of a doctor, there is nothing wrong with him taking charge of Renmin Medical Clinic.

However, the price for all of this was selling her soul and becoming Zhang Yunxiu's apprentice.

What a heartless person! Zhang Yunxiu is only a few years old, yet he wants to be someone's mentor?

But then I thought, if it weren't for Zhang Yunxiu's allicin, my eldest son might really be in critical condition. This is a life-saving grace, what's wrong with becoming his apprentice?!
After much difficulty, Yang Jishi gritted his teeth and stamped his foot, declaring, "I don't care about propriety, morality, or shame!"

He lifted his robe and immediately knelt down again, respectfully kowtowing several times to Zhang Yunxiu.

"My revered teacher, please accept my bow!"

It's quite a sight to see an elderly man with white hair kneeling before a teenager.

"Not bad, not bad." Zhang Yunxiu nodded repeatedly, swaying his head as he spoke. "Those who join my sect will be taught without discrimination; you are sure to have a bright future!"

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Yunxiu narrowed his eyes and asked again.

"What do you think? Is it unorthodox for me to take you as my disciple?"

Yang Jishi's facial muscles twitched slightly. He was speechless inside, but he still spoke confidently.

A disciple need not be inferior to his teacher, nor a teacher necessarily superior to his disciple. In a group of three, there is always one I can learn from. When you see someone virtuous, think of emulating them.

Fourth Brother Zhang Jianxiu walked out of the workshop, intending to call out to his younger brother, but was stunned by the scene at the workshop entrance.

The next day.

The Wanli Emperor learned of this news in the Qianqing Palace.

He looked at Zhang Cheng with a strange expression and said.

"You mean, Zhang Shiyuan got Yang Jishi from the Imperial Medical Academy to become his apprentice?"

Zhang Cheng bowed and said, "It's absolutely true. It's all over the Imperial Medical Academy now. The imperial physicians are saying that Yang Jishi is a disgrace to the Imperial Medical Academy and they want to expel him from it!"

"Shiyuan is truly absurd!"

Emperor Wanli was still savoring the sights and sounds of his trip outside the palace the day before, looking as if he hadn't had enough.

He outwardly called Zhang Yunxiu absurd, but inwardly he was quite envious.

What could be more gratifying than having a highly respected imperial physician become your apprentice?
I want to do it too!
Emperor Wanli immediately began to imagine how delightful it would be if the scholars of the Hanlin Academy were to prostrate themselves on the ground and call him "my esteemed teacher."

But as soon as the thought crossed his mind, a face suddenly appeared in his head—his strict mother, Empress Dowager Li, glaring at him and speaking.

"Do you want to emulate Emperor Wuzong?"

Emperor Wanli shuddered and snapped out of his reverie.

He sighed, recalling his instructions from yesterday, and asked with a serious expression.

"I ordered the Imperial Medical Academy to send some people to assist Zhang Yunxiu in fighting the epidemic in the city. How is the Imperial Medical Academy doing?"

(End of this chapter)