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

Chapter 87 "Zhang Shiyuan's Epidemic Prevention Guidance Manual"

Xianyifang.

All the alleyways in the market area have long been sealed off by the Five City Garrison, and no one is allowed to leave their homes without permission. Markets will be allowed to open every day to supply the daily needs of the people.

Zhang Yunxiu's proposed plan took into account almost every aspect. He had even prepared an execution manual specifically for the various commanders of the Five Cities Garrison.

At dawn, as the sky was just beginning to lighten, a group of people dressed in white robes gathered in the open space of the market. Their bright appearance was dazzling under the sun.

The people trapped in their homes opened their doors and windows, curiously observing the group of people in white.

These people were all wearing masks, but masks have become common in Beijing these days, so it's not surprising.

The only strange thing was that this group of several hundred people included all kinds of people, young and old, and did not look like a military unit at all.

Who would lead this group of people into battle? Let alone the Tatars, this group probably couldn't even defeat the local militia.

The people looked around curiously, wanting to know what these people were up to.

But then a loud voice was heard.

"My disciples! The time has come to test us!"

The people looked toward the source of the sound and found that it was a young man dressed in white, but wearing a pig-nose mask.

Clearly, the young man was Zhang Yunxiu. Due to limitations in the craftsmanship, he could only have the artisans produce bird-beak masks as a temporary measure.

Now, more than half a month later, the craftsman who had been kicked in the butt every day has finally produced the pig-nose mask.

However, compared to the industrialized production of later generations, this pig-nose mask mold was hammered out by craftsmen, the ceramic was specially fired, and the filter layer was also specially treated with the addition of charcoal powder. Compared to the previous version of the bird beak, it was not only more comfortable but also much more effective.

It can be said to be the most advanced plague protection device available today.

Zhang Yunxiu looked at the white-clad men standing trembling before him. These men were all doctors of considerable caliber in the capital, including some imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital, all of whom he had organized into a team.

Thirty imperial physicians, selected from the Imperial Medical Academy and trained by Zhang Yunxiu, led a group of four or five people each, responsible for guiding the treatment of the plague throughout the capital.

He walked through the crowd of people in white, wearing a pig-snout mask, like a drill instructor, while speaking loudly.

“You are all learned scholars of medicine. As the Medicine King Sun Simiao said, ‘Human life is of utmost importance, more precious than a thousand pieces of gold.’ Now, with the epidemic raging in and around the capital, how can we, as physicians, sit idly by? His Majesty needs you, the court needs you, and the people need you as well.”

Zhang Yunxiu's speech was passionate and inspiring. Although many doctors in the queue were not convinced, they had to admit that he was eloquent and worthy of driving the imperial censors crazy.

After his speech, most of the doctors were moved to tears. They were praised for their compassion and, compared to the officials in the imperial court, for having a conscience.

Some doctors at private clinics were also infected.

Even so, there are still dissenting voices.

He was still a physician in the Imperial Medical Academy. He had not been selected last time and was just feeling relieved when Zhang Yunxiu pulled this stunt again. He was really dissatisfied.

He didn't dare say anything harsh, only offering his criticisms in a low voice.

"Are we supposed to rely on so-called 'modern medicine' to cure diseases?"

Zhang Yunxiu suddenly stopped. The imperial physician shrank back, but the expected beating did not occur. Instead, he heard the other party continue speaking.

"Good question. I knew you all had this objection, but I don't intend to explain it to you. The debate between traditional medical theory and modern medicine is just empty talk. Once you enter the clinic, you will know I am right in less than three days! Until then, just listen to me!"

The situation was urgent, and Zhang Yunxiu didn't have much time to argue with more than a hundred doctors.
He glared and said, "You will do as I say! Once you enter my Renmin Medical Hall, you are all my disciples, Zhang Yunxiu's disciples. It is only natural for a master to discipline his disciple. If you beat or maim him, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

???

The more than one hundred doctors from the capital were astonished. How could they all be Zhang Yunxiu's disciples?! The average age of these people present was almost the same as Zhang Juzheng's. How could Zhang Yunxiu be so shameless as to want to be their master!

Although they were indignant inside, no one dared to cause any trouble on the surface, because this guy really knew how to hit people!

What could the doctors do against such a notorious criminal? They were powerless and helpless, and could only let Zhang Yunxiu manipulate them.

The other doctors were inwardly distressed, but the imperial physicians, who had long been influenced by "Zhang Xue," stood upright with radiant expressions on their faces.

He couldn't help but feel a little smug.

This is truly our mentor!
That's the spirit! It's exhilarating!

Renmin First Medical Clinic.

Inside the courtyard of the ward for patients with chronic diseases, Zhang Lanying was cleaning the yard. She was wearing a mask, her hair was falling over her forehead, and her dark face showed great energy.

Zhang Lanying wiped the sweat from her brow, exhaled, and looked towards the intensive care unit, where her daughter Nini was.

After entering the city from outside a few days ago, Zhang Lanying and her daughter went to Renmin Medical Clinic for treatment. Nini's condition was very serious, and she was immediately sent to the intensive care unit for treatment.

At first, Zhang Lanying was a little reluctant to leave, but the doctors in the clinic explained things to her carefully. In particular, seeing that she was not affected by the plague, they specially allowed her to do odd jobs in the clinic.

They provided lodging and meals, and most importantly, they also gave her a certain amount of wages each month: fifty coins a day, which amounted to one tael and five qian a month. Compared to Zhang Lanying's previous experience of toiling in the soil for a living, this was extremely generous.

Most importantly, the daughter was able to receive free treatment.

Every three days, Zhang Lanying would have the opportunity to visit her daughter in the intensive care unit. Seeing her daughter get better day by day was Zhang Lanying's greatest hope.

"My disciples! The time has come to test us!"

Outside, a boy's voice echoed through the streets and alleys. Zhang Lanying pricked up her ears and listened carefully to what the "Chairman Zhang" was saying.

In recent days, she has often heard other people's comments about this "Chairman Zhang".

Often, some doctors would come crying and wailing, as if they had been conscripted into this isolation area, to work alongside the imperial physicians in the clinic to treat patients.

At first, they clearly had nothing good to say about Zhang Shiyuan, bluntly calling him a treacherous villain who was causing chaos in the court.

But after a few days, these doctors came into contact with all kinds of patients in the isolation area and saw the effectiveness of the unique treatment methods in the clinic, they all shut up.

Judging from Zhang Lanying's words, these doctors probably also wanted to learn the "miraculous skills" that Chairman Zhang possessed in saving lives.

The doctors called the treatment methods used in the clinic "modern medicine" and the drugs "garicin".

But to ordinary people like Zhang Lanying, it was a "miracle skill" and a "miracle drug".

Because compared to those mystical sorcerers who only know how to deceive people, and compared to those miracle doctors who often prescribe medicines that are impossible to obtain.

The "miraculous skill" used by this Chairman Zhang is truly real; it can pull people back from the brink of death!
Zhang Lanying witnessed all of this firsthand! During her time caring for patients in the isolation ward, she saw them every day how patients who were originally on the verge of death and had lost all vitality began to recover miraculously after taking those "miracle drugs"!
When in the world has such a drug ever existed? What else could it be but a miracle?
Consequently, Zhang Lanying became increasingly confident in the safety of her daughter "Nini".

Listening to Zhang Yunxiu scolding and reprimanding the doctors outside the market, Zhang Lanying felt a surge of hope and a sense of peace.

She put down the broom and took out a small booklet from her bosom. This was a booklet that the clinic distributed to some literate patients.

Zhang Lanying held the notebook in front of her as if it were a treasure. Under the warm sunlight, she could vaguely make out the handwriting on it.

The book is titled "Zhang Shiyuan's Epidemic Prevention Guidance Manual".

(End of this chapter)