Chapter 250: Chapter 219: National Healer’s Public Lecture

Imperial Medicine Bureau·Qihuang Research Institute.

It has been a long time since the renowned physician Fu Qingzhu made an appearance at the famous physicians’ lecture hall.

"Mr. Fu, you’ve come without giving us any prior notice, so we could welcome you properly..."

"Welcome for what? I’m not a guest. Are you all planning to oust me, the honorary dean?"

The director of Qihuang Research Institute, Zhong Xiaoman, hurriedly stated "I wouldn’t dare." If he didn’t know that Fu Qingzhu occasionally liked to joke, he would have been quite frightened by these words.

"Prepare for me, I want to give an open lecture to the students of the Research Institute." Fu Qingzhu said.

"You want to give a lecture to the students!" Zhong Xiaoman was greatly surprised. This is an open lecture by a renowned physician, an event that might not happen even once or twice a year.

Especially one that you can’t even ask for; now that he’s voluntarily requesting to do it, it feels like a fruit has fallen from the tree and hit him on the head.

Director Zhong Xiaoman felt a bit dizzy, thinking he might have misheard.

"What, am I not qualified?"

"No, no, how could you not be qualified? It’s just that if you’re giving an open lecture, there needs to be prior notice. At that time, not only students will attend..." Zhong Xiaoman replied. For an open lecture by a renowned physician, every one is notified at least three to five days in advance. This sudden notice could mean some people won’t be informed, not to mention the big classroom arrangements, which completely disrupts the Research Institute’s teaching steps.

"Then I’ll give you one hour to notify and arrange," Fu Qingzhu instructed.

"One hour..."

"Not enough?"

"Enough, enough..." Zhong Xiaoman smiled wryly. One hour is not enough, but there’s no choice. If he upsets Fu Qingzhu and he cancels the lecture, then when people find out, they’ll be furious with him.

If it were someone else, they would have begged him to give an open lecture.

This rare opportunity to hear Fu Qingzhu’s teachings, would you use the excuse "not enough time" to block it? Can you afford the loss?

"We’ve wasted a cup-of-tea time while speaking..." Fu Qingzhu mercilessly calculated the time.

Zhong Xiaoman vanished in a flash, vanishing faster than a young man in his twenties, though he was in his fifties.

"Mr. Fu is giving an open lecture, in one hour at the big hall. Those who want to attend, come quickly!"

With this shout, the entire Qihuang Research Institute was instantly activated, like a drop of water falling into a boiling oil pot!

This is the fastest method of notification.

Numerous people, as if just woken up, emerged like bamboo shoots after a rain.

"Brother, wait for me..."

"Quick, if we’re late, there might not be any seats!"

Calling friends and companions, everyone rushed in one direction, which was the medical lecture hall of the Research Institute, where large lectures are usually held. Generally, only large open lectures open there.

Although it’s a big lecture hall, seats are limited to only two hundred, and ordinarily, the Research Institute, including both professors and lecturers, doesn’t even have two hundred people combined.

However, if it’s an open lecture by a renowned physician, especially by this renowned physician, then all qualified physicians in the capital who can enter the Research Institute will come.

If you’re late, don’t even think about finding a seat; even standing room in the aisles might not be available.

This time, Fu Qingzhu came with a surprise attack, notifying less than an hour in advance. Many people were likely to miss this opportunity today.

Those who stayed at the Research Institute today were secretly delighted. When else would they have the opportunity to interact closely with Fu Qingzhu, let alone ask questions and learn from him?

Every open lecture by a renowned physician includes a question and answer interaction period. Although opportunities are rare, just getting one can make a deep impression on the physician, making them remember you—a tremendous fortune. If he even opens his mouth to give you a few pointers, in future, everyone will hold you in high regard.

"Teacher, you came without saying a word?" A gentlemanly individual appeared before Fu Qingzhu. He was Fu Qingzhu’s disciple, gentle as jade, named Wen Ruyu.

Among Fu Qingzhu’s numerous students, only a handful were personally taught by him, and Wen Ruyu was the youngest of them.

Despite being young, only thirty years old, Wen Ruyu already held the title of physician and was employed at the Imperial Hospital.

Most of Fu Qingzhu’s disciples worked at the Imperial Hospital and Benefit People Pharmacy, primarily involved in diagnosing and treating illnesses.

Not many were involved in administrative roles within the Imperial Pharmacy.

Wen Ruyu was a disciple Fu Qingzhu favored; otherwise, he wouldn’t have taken him as his closed-door disciple. Among his many disciples, Wen Ruyu was the most likely to succeed him.

In fact, this disciple’s medical skills already matched his own, but he still lacked some experience and seasoning.

"Ahem, I didn’t prepare for this class either; it was a spur-of-the-moment decision." Fu Qingzhu chuckled.

"So what will you be talking about today? Your theory on the balance of good and evil energies?" Wen Ruyu asked curiously.

Fu Qingzhu shook his head, "No, you’ll find out soon enough."

Seeing Fu Qingzhu’s response, Wen Ruyu didn’t ask further. He knew his teacher’s temperament and that too many questions would make him unhappy.

...

"When is Master Fu’s public lecture?" Leng Qingfeng, acting head of the Imperial Pharmacy, also received the news and was somewhat surprised, "Why wasn’t there any prior notice?"

"Mr. Leng, this was a last-minute announcement. Mr. Zhong probably isn’t aware of it either. He’s likely scrambling right now!"

"Hmm, strange. I haven’t heard any news about Master Fu giving public lectures recently. Could it be a sudden whim?"

The thoughts of great figures are hard to fathom, especially when someone reaches the level of a master and enjoys the emperor’s favor; he can afford to be capricious.

Besides, a master like him giving a public lecture at the Qihuang Research Institute benefits the medical expertise of the Da Li Imperial Pharmacy and the Imperial Hospital.

Such an opportunity is rare and eagerly sought after. As the acting head of the Imperial Pharmacy, I should support this, with no room for discontent.

Not only should I support it, but I also must attend the lecture myself.

Who doesn’t wish to advance their medical skills further? Being a master is not just an honor but also recognition of a physician’s skills by the court.

Leng Qingfeng certainly wants to look up to this, even if he knows he can’t reach it, he still wants to strive for it.

Soon, the main hall of the Qihuang Research Institute was bustling, with everyone scrambling for a front-row seat. Those who couldn’t get one opted for the next best seats, and if there was no other choice, they stood in the aisles, sitting on the floor if need be.

By the time Leng Qingfeng arrived, if not for his position as the acting head of the Imperial Pharmacy, he might not have been able to enter the main hall and would have had to listen from the corridor outside.

The time was almost up.

The hall was packed with people, leaving only a large space free at the podium. Every other place that could fit a person was occupied.

Even officials like Leng Qingfeng had to bring their own small stools to sit in front of the first row. Who would give up their spot?

It’s already a blessing not to be pushed out from the front.

What does being the head of the Imperial Pharmacy matter? You don’t know me, do you? I’m not afraid of you. Everyone studying at the Qihuang Research Institute has intricate connections.

"Alright, everyone, quiet down. Today’s public class is brought to us by Master Fu Qingzhu, and the content is... ’Medical Three Character Classics.’" Zhong Xiaoman hesitated upon seeing Fu Qingzhu write these five characters on the blackboard but read them out loud anyway.

The audience erupted in astonishment.

"Medical Three Character Classics," who authored this? Could it be Master Fu’s latest work? Master Fu rarely publishes books, as he always believed a physician should not rush to write until reaching a certain height in their life; otherwise, it may cause derision.

Has Master Fu had a change of heart?

However, after writing these five characters, Fu Qingzhu added a line of small characters below: Author Lin Miao.

Lin Miao?

Who is Lin Miao?

The discussion grew louder; evidently, the name was unfamiliar to many in the audience. An unheard-of name.

Yet, upon seeing this name, Leng Qingfeng, the acting head of the Imperial Pharmacy, changed his expression slightly. Although others might not know, he was fully aware.

Lin Miao’s name was first heard from Wan Bin, who had previously gone to Dongshan City for inspection. Then, Lin Miao turned out to be one of the three youths who passed this year’s medical exam and trial called "Path to Sainthood."

Among the three, Lin Miao was the unnoticed one, without any backing, and his mentorship was unclear. His master, Sun Simiao, seemed to belong to the classical prescriptions lineage, yet his name was not found within the major branches. Until his death, he was just an intermediate physician; likely, he wasn’t very skilled either...

The problem was, such an insignificant person, not even acknowledged by the classical prescriptions lineage, managed to teach an extraordinarily talented apprentice.

Such people, without affiliation or control, naturally aren’t favored.

Therefore, Leng Qingfeng always downplayed any news or events related to Lin Miao at the Imperial Pharmacy, feeling it wasn’t his duty to promote a wild physician.

Whereas Medicine King Sun He and such illustrious figures were always backed by powerful forces. Aligning with them was the way to have a more stable career.

But how does Master Fu know of Lin Miao? Isn’t he usually not concerned with such matters?

"Medicine begins with the Qihuang. Today, I, as an old man, want to talk about an introductory medical book. Its author is a young man who recently passed the medical exam. When I first read this book, honestly, I was astounded. The book is arranged entirely in three-character combinations, easy to recite but embedding the profound truths of our medical path. It can be said that as long as we remember this book’s content, we can address the vast majority of ailments. Of course, it isn’t all-encompassing, but for beginners, its value is immeasurable..."

"If we were to dissect and discuss this book thoroughly, it would likely take three days and nights. I will now transcribe the original text in full, and you may note it down to study and ponder. We’ll find another time to discuss this book further."