gnovel Chapter 51: The Li Family's Breakup, the Wisdom of Powerful Clans!
Chapter 51: The Li Family's Breakup, the Wisdom of Powerful Clans!
"The establishment of the Imperial Medical Academy integrated the imperial physicians and medical craftsmen of the Imperial Household Department into one institution."
"The Grand Master of the Palace, Hu Sui, was well-versed in divination and law, but not in medicine."
"The Imperial Medical Academy will be in a state of chaos for a long time."
"This is precisely our opportunity."
Looking at Zhang He, Liu Ju said in a deep voice.
"Your Highness."
"Are you trying to interfere with the Imperial Hospital?"
Zhang He, the Crown Prince's chief steward, thought that Liu Ju wanted to infiltrate the palace through the Imperial Hospital.
"His Majesty values alchemists, but the imperial physicians and medical craftsmen in the palace are mostly mediocre, and I have no interest in them."
"I want you to start with the Imperial Hospital and find out the details of the champion, Marquis Jingheng, back then."
"My cousin's body was transported all the way back from Shuofang without changing hands along the way, and even my uncle never saw it with his own eyes."
"Those who saw my cousin's body were only the imperial physicians and medical craftsmen, both inside and outside the court."
"Since it is an epidemic, it must have certain characteristics; it is impossible for it to be completely without any clues."
With a cold and stern gaze, Liu Ju gave his instructions, word by word.
History books only mention the word "epidemic" lightly when describing Huo Qubing's death. In traditional Chinese medicine, epidemic diseases are classified into categories such as cold epidemics, heat epidemics, damp epidemics, dry epidemics, and miscellaneous epidemics, including highly contagious diseases such as plague and cholera.
None of the people who brought Huo Qubing's body back had any problems, and Zhao Ponu was even more lively and energetic, making this so-called epidemic all the more suspicious.
Huo Qubing was skilled at long-distance raids, and the army attached great importance to guides and physicians. They could immediately detect anything amiss unless it was a sudden illness. Sudden illnesses always have a cause, and the corpse would inevitably show obvious signs.
Only by knowing Huo Qubing's characteristics can we deduce what caused his death and find the culprit behind it. These people seem to be targeting Huo Qubing, but in reality, they are targeting the Crown Prince and are trying to eliminate the Wei clan's influence.
"Your subject understands."
"I will immediately send the Hidden Dragon Guard to gather information from the Imperial Hospital."
Zhang He's heart tightened, and he solemnly replied.
"Furthermore, immediately order people to search for skilled doctors among the common people."
"There was a famous doctor in Shu named Fu Weng, who lived in seclusion by the Fu River (in the area of present-day Mianyang, Sichuan). He made a living by fishing and was also skilled in medicine, especially acupuncture."
"We will spare no expense to move him and his family to Chang'an."
Liu said in a serious tone.
Although he had consumed snake blood and possessed a powerful physique, making him immune to all poisons, there were still so many people in the Crown Prince's palace, especially the one-year-old Liu Jin. If he were poisoned or something unexpected happened, it would be too late for regrets.
Moreover, military campaigns also require skilled physicians, so recruiting renowned doctors in advance and training battlefield medics are all important matters.
"promise."
Zhang He responded and left to carry out the order.
...........
The uproar caused by the court assembly continued to spread, shocking not only royalty and high-ranking officials but also wealthy merchants.
In the study of the Li family residence in the north.
"Congratulations, Patriarch."
The hunchbacked old man quickly congratulated Li Ling.
The Commandant of the Guards no longer concurrently commanded the Southern Army. The Southern Army was then commanded by the four Palace Supervisors. Li Ling, the Palace Supervisor of Jianzhang Palace, suddenly became a pivotal figure in Chang'an City, holding the rank of fifth grade, with a salary of 1,200 shi (a unit of grain), leading 2,500 Jianzhang Guards, and also serving as the Attendant-in-Ordinary, a unique honorary title reserved for the emperor's confidants.
The former general Wei Qing rose from a minor official in Jianzhang to the high position of Grand Marshal and General, and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Changping with a fief of 20,200 households.
"The Crown Prince's actions have offended His Majesty, causing turmoil in the court. This is precisely the opportunity for my Li family to rise to power."
"If war breaks out in the future, His Majesty will surely dispatch me immediately."
"Once you achieve merit, becoming a Marquis within the Passes or a noble marquis is a given."
As Li Ling spoke, his eyes gleamed with a burning light.
He was always very confident in his abilities. In terms of leading troops in battle, none of the three generations of the Li family, including Li Guang and Li Gan, could match him. The only thing he lacked was an opportunity.
"Master of the family."
"The states of Yan and Qi have not yet replied."
"Are we...?"
A sinister glint flashed in the hunched old man's cloudy eyes.
"The Prince of Yan and the Prince of Qi believed that Huo Qubing was dead, and that it was only a matter of time before the Crown Prince was despised by His Majesty and deposed."
"But what about now? The conflict between His Majesty and the Crown Prince is escalating, and court officials are constantly changing."
"We can sit still, but can they?"
"The influence of the Crown Prince grows stronger every day, with the Nine Temples and Five Directorates, the Left and Right Guards of the Crown Prince, and the Agricultural Officials."
"You don't need to worry about them, they'll come looking for you."
"It's time to inform those people. Everyone did this; how can we let the Li family bear the blame?"
Li Ling gazed out the window at the setting sun, a meaningful expression appearing on his face.
"This old servant understands."
The hunched figure slowly retreated from the study.
Little did they know, a figure in the corner had witnessed everything.
"Second brother, since you're already here, why hide your face?"
Li Ling gave a cold shout.
"Tap tap!"
From the corner, a tall and upright young man slowly walked out; it was Li Gan's son, Li Yu.
"Brother."
"I don't know what you're plotting, and I don't care."
"But don't forget that my elder sister is now in the Crown Prince's palace. Our Li family, starting with my grandfather, has always stood on the side of the Crown Prince."
Li Yu was impatient and, without giving Li Ling a chance to explain, angrily questioned him.
"The Crown Prince?"
Li Ling retorted, "Did he consider our Li family as his trusted confidants?"
"What was the Crown Prince doing when Third Uncle died? Did he ever feel any resentment towards the Huo family because of it?"
"Now that he wants to bring Huo Shan into the Crown Prince's palace for her upbringing, what does he consider the Li family to be?"
"Your elder sister has been in the Crown Prince's palace for many years, but she is still just a member of the common people. This is the Crown Prince you speak of."
"you...."
Li Yu didn't share Li Ling's thoughts; he only knew that the Crown Prince had never mistreated Li Gan, him, or his elder sister.
Li Gan's death was not the Crown Prince's doing, so what resentment could there be?
If not for pressure from the Li family, why would Li Gan risk offending Marquis Huo Qubing to provoke Wei Qing in an attempt to clear Li Guang's name?
"Second brother."
"You are also a member of the Li family, don't forget that."
"How did your grandfather die? And how did your grandfather die?"
Li Ling's words were sharp and incisive, revealing his true intentions.
"Of course I know how they died."
"Brother, I will still call you brother. Some things, once done, can never be undone."
"If you continue to be so stubborn, from today onwards, the third branch of the family will have no further connection with the Li family."
"Do whatever you want. If you want to support those old fogies in the ancestral land, then support them."
Meeting Li Ling's gaze, Li Yu's words were filled with hatred and determination.
The Li family's roots are in Longxi. Over the years, the clansmen in their ancestral home have lived a life of plenty thanks to Li Guang and Li Gan. Li Guang and Li Gan gave their lives for the Li family. He was unwilling to do this; he was tired of it all.
"it is good."
Li Ling watched Li Yu walk out of the study, remaining silent for a long time.
"Master of the family."
"Second Master, he..."
A hunched figure appeared silently beside him and asked in a low voice.
"Ignore him."
"Don't put all your eggs in one dish; that's what my grandfather taught me."
"The previous head of the family was my third uncle, and I know Li Yu can't get over this hurdle."
"Fine, let him be himself. Even if the Li family loses, they can still preserve a lineage."
Li Ling waved his hand and sighed.
"promise."
The hunched figure retreated once more.
PS: The Western Han Dynasty's imperial harem system was divided into fourteen ranks. In addition to the fourteen ranks, the "family members" were further divided into upper family members and middle family members, whose stipends were based on the amount of grain they could eat.
The upper-class family members were candidates for the emperor's selection, the middle-class family members were candidates for the crown prince's selection, and the crown prince's wives and concubines were divided into three ranks: concubine, concubine, and lady. Those without a rank were called family members.