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“The People’s Medical Hall” Serves the People
The hall was silent, with the officials exchanging glances, their expressions varied. Some furrowed their brows, others lowered their heads without speaking, and a few seemed to avoid He Zhongxian’s gaze, their eyes darting. Xia Xianyun’s face turned pale, his grip tightening on the dossier as he struggled to control his emotions.
Seeing the silence, He Zhongxian added, “I underreported the harvest not to avoid paying taxes, but to leave the people with a way to survive. This underreporting of land and harvests has already become an open secret. Even if one day the truth is revealed and the court finds out, what can they do? Can they squeeze oil from the bones of the people?”
Xia Xianyun’s expression darkened at He Zhongxian’s words. He slammed the table and sternly shouted, “He Zhongxian! Your words are too presumptuous!”
Standing up, he fixed his gaze on He Zhongxian, his tone tinged with anger. “Even if the people are struggling, we, as officials of the court, must not violate the court’s laws!”
Straightening his back and facing the north as if the Emperor Chongzhen were before him, his expression solemn, he spoke with respect, “Emperor Chongzhen is wise and works tirelessly for the country’s affairs, for the welfare of the people. How could His Majesty not know the suffering of the people?”
“But in recent years, with the continuous wars, the border in Liaodong unsettled, and the central plains plagued by bandits, everywhere needs funds. These taxes are for the whole of the Ming, to safeguard the nation’s foundation. Without the Ming, what are you and I?”
Xia Xianyun turned his attention back to He Zhongxian, his tone now carrying a warning, “To speak so recklessly about the court, isn’t that shaking the people’s faith? Spreading child rhymes, aren’t you afraid of tarnishing the court’s reputation?”
He Zhongxian felt a bit nervous under Xia Xianyun’s relentless questioning but forced a cold smile, unwilling to back down. “Master Xia, you are loyal to the court, and so am I. But the people are suffering terribly now. If we continue taxing them, it may incite a rebellion.”
He became more agitated, “The frequent wars have already burdened the people. Reporting lower harvests is just to give the people a chance to survive. While the laws of the court are important, isn’t the life of the people just as important?”
Lei Qilong narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression inscrutable. In these troubled times, life was already difficult for the common people, and now they were faced with even more suffering.
He spoke slowly, his voice calm and steady: “Xianyun is correct, the court’s laws cannot be broken. However, Zhongxian also has a point. The people’s livelihood is hard, and as officials, we must show empathy. This matter must be carefully considered, we cannot rush into decisions.”
Xia Xianyun paused slightly upon hearing Lei Qilong’s words. Lei, known for his diplomatic skills, was adept at navigating between different powers. The fact that He Zhongxian had earned his trust indicated that He was no simple character. Realizing this, Xia Xianyun suppressed his dissatisfaction and bowed slightly, saying, “What you said is correct, Master.”
Seeing this, Lei Qilong smiled slightly, his expression one of satisfaction. “Alright, let this matter be temporarily set aside, and we’ll discuss it further later. Colleagues, we must focus on the bigger picture and not lose sight of it over minor details.”
The others nodded in agreement, and the tension in the hall gradually eased.
He Zhongxian, relieved that Xia Xianyun had stopped the argument, still felt a worry gnawing at him. He knew that as long as the food issue remained unresolved, the people of Shanhua County would remain in danger. At this point, he had another plan in mind, though it was not without risks.
He straightened his clothes and rose, cupping his hands. “Master, I have another matter to report. I’ve already sent people to contact the grain leaders in other counties of Changsha Prefecture, requesting their assistance.”
Hearing this, Lei Qilong showed a hint of relief and nodded. “This is a good move. Ensure that the grain allocation is handled properly, and make sure it reaches the people without any diversion.”
He Zhongxian continued, “But the other counties are also in dire straits, and the grain they can spare is limited. If we want to borrow it, they have requested that silver be used as collateral. This needs your decision, Master.”
Upon hearing the mention of “silver,” Lei Qilong’s face showed a brief hesitation, his brow furrowing slightly. “If no grain is available to borrow, we will have to let the people gather wild vegetables and tree bark to stave off hunger until the new harvest comes in the fall.”
He Zhongxian couldn’t help but think to himself that Lei Qilong was cleverly calculating the situation—asking the people to survive on wild vegetables and bark was effectively pushing them toward a dead end. However, he dared not voice his concerns, merely thinking them to himself.
At that moment, Zhang Wenyuan, a medical officer from Changsha Prefecture, could no longer stay silent. His eyes turned, sensing an opportunity, and he quickly stood up. “Master, after the flood, epidemics are likely to spread. I’ve arranged for doctors to go to the disaster-stricken areas to treat the people.”
Pausing slightly, his tone grew serious. “However, the medical supplies are running low and urgently need replenishing. I hope the Master can allocate some silver from the treasury to purchase the necessary medicines.”
Lei Qilong’s expression tightened even more, his brow furrowing deeply. “I understand the importance of medical supplies, but the treasury is empty. Even the disaster relief funds are insufficient. Where will we find extra silver for medicine?”
He waved his hand dismissively. “There are plenty of medical halls and apothecaries in Changsha City. Let them contribute what they can. That should be enough for now.”
Zhang Wenyuan’s face showed difficulty, and he cupped his hands, saying, “Master, while there are many medical halls and apothecaries in the city, most are small businesses that can’t withstand this kind of strain. Dr. Wei’s People’s Medical Hall has truly gone all out to help everyone.”
His tone became somber. “However, the medicinal supplies have been severely damaged, and their stock is pitifully low.”
He shook his head and looked at Lei Qilong with pleading eyes. “If we don’t have the medicine, once the epidemic breaks out, it will be catastrophic! Master, the treasury still has some spare silver—could we use some of it to deal with the urgent situation?”
After a moment’s hesitation, Lei Qilong spoke again, “Zhang, I understand the people’s difficulties, but right now, the court is in crisis, and as officials, we must prioritize the court’s needs.”
He reached for a document on the desk and continued with a weighty tone, “You’ve all seen this edict.”
“From Shaanxi, urgent orders for eight hundred miles. Li Chuang’s forces are repeatedly attacking the border, and His Majesty has called for officials to donate part of their salaries for military funds. The court has issued the order. As subjects, we must obey!”
His tone rose at the end, and then he sighed, “The treasury is empty, and the court is in urgent need of funds. If we don’t contribute, we are disloyal to the court and unjust to the people.”
The hall fell silent. The officials exchanged glances, each with their own thoughts. Lei Qilong’s words, on the surface, seemed to show concern for the court, but in reality, he had cleverly shifted the blame for the financial shortage onto the court’s donation order.
Zhang Wenyuan opened his mouth as if to say something, but seeing Lei Qilong’s determined expression, he swallowed his words. He sighed inwardly, thinking: This Lei Qilong is truly a sly fox.
Li Mingda, standing to the side, murmured softly, “Wei Lan…”
This was overheard by Lei Qilong, who turned to him sharply, his gaze as sharp as a blade. “Mingda, what did you say? You know Dr. Wei?”
Li Mingda was startled, quickly cupping his hands and answering, “Master, I have indeed had some interactions with Dr. Wei. A few days ago, Zhao Bin from Baoyuantang, jealous of Dr. Wei’s successful medical business, secretly schemed to poison her. Fortunately, Dr. Wei responded cleverly, preventing a disaster. Zhao Bin has been sentenced to exile, and Baoyuantang has been shut down.”
Lei Qilong’s brow furrowed, his tone inquisitive. “Baoyuantang? Who exactly is this Dr. Wei? A mere doctor has caused such a stir?”
Li Mingda, with a faint smile at the corner of his lips, slightly bowed. “Master, Dr. Wei’s medical hall and pharmacy thrive because of the support from the common people. Now, with the people suffering, she is giving back to her hometown.”
He paused deliberately, his eyes flickering, as if choosing his words carefully, then continued slowly, “Since she has stockpiled grain and has some silver on hand…”
He deliberately elongated his words, as if leaving room for imagination. “Dr. Wei, who has always acted in the name of ‘serving the people,’ surely won’t stand idly by. If you personally take action, reasoning with her and appealing to her compassion, she will surely do her part for the people.”
Lei Qilong’s eyes narrowed slightly as he considered this. He gave a small nod and spoke with quiet approval, “Mingda, your words are very wise.”
Li Mingda, seeing the approval in Lei Qilong’s eyes, felt a sense of satisfaction in his heart but maintained a humble demeanor, cupping his hands. “Your wisdom is unparalleled, Master.”
Lei Qilong was now intrigued by this Dr. Wei. He thought to himself: She seems like a remarkable woman. I must see her for myself.
As the discussion about food and finances continued, the atmosphere in the hall grew colder. The officials were growing more and more disillusioned, as all the discussions led to little progress and empty words.