Inside the military tent, Meng Can picked up the pigskin and immediately noticed something different.
The suturing technique was unlike the one described in his family's traditional medical book.
However, the method was even more intricate and delicate.
Meng Can gave Meng Chun a complex look, tossed the pigskin back, and turned his attention to the table covered with freshly sutured pig heads, intestines, legs, and organs...
If the suturing technique on the pigskin had merely impressed Meng Can, the array of different suturing methods applied to various body parts on the table left him utterly captivated.
"In the years you've been with the guard post, how many battles have you fought... to develop such suturing skills?"
"Exquisite, truly exquisite!"
Meng Can picked up a pair of scissors, intending to cut open the stitches on a pig's hind leg to examine how the bone had been sutured inside.
But his nephew Meng Chun quickly stopped him, "Uncle, wait. First, tell me if you're willing to use the Sleep Saint Powder to save people in our camp."
At the mention of Sleep Saint Powder, Meng Can immediately frowned, dropped the pig leg, and turned to leave!
"Meng Chun, you know what I despise most!"
...
[Oh, Meng Can's collection progress has increased to 15%!]
In the imperial tent, Xiao Chuchu, who was trying rice porridge today, suddenly heard the inner voice.
Xiao Yunzhou, who was feeding her with a spoon, immediately brightened up.
Nearby, Liu Chaniang, who continued practicing sutures on pigskin, also smiled upon hearing this, but didn't pause her stitching.
But then Xiao Chuchu made a puzzled sound, [Meng Can's collection progress has dropped again, down to 3%. Tsk, what's going on?]
Xiao Yunzhou frowned but continued coaxing his daughter to focus on eating.
He already had an idea to solve this issue.
"Be good, Chuchu, open your mouth, ah~"
"Wei Zheng, I received a memorial from Head Imperial Physician Hu this morning, saying he's devised a method for chest surgery to alleviate pain and reduce infection in abscesses. Relay a message to him."
"Tell him to come to Meng Chun's tent in about fifteen minutes. I'll go there to listen later."
As Xiao Yunzhou spoke, he instructed Wei Zheng.
Wei Zheng looked confused, wondering 'when did this memorial arrive?', but quickly agreed obsequiously and immediately retreated.
Xiao Chuchu glanced over and felt reassured, [It seems the simple version of the anesthesia and disinfection skill book I exchanged has entered Jing Country.]
[Good, now I can sit back and wait for things to unfold without rushing. I trust in the abilities of the Imperial Academy of Medicine, Doctor Meng, and my mother.]
With this, Xiao Chuchu could now focus on drinking her rice porridge.
Spoonful by spoonful, it was deliciously sweet. [It would taste even better with more sugar~]
Xiao Yunzhou silently took note but quickly put on a stern face.
No, too much sweetness would rot her teeth. The little princess would cry when she grew up and realized this.
*
"Head Imperial Physician Hu, when did you submit a memorial to the Emperor? Even I didn't know about it."
Wei Zheng found Head Imperial Physician Hu crouching in Doctor Meng's medical tent and immediately began complaining.
"In the past, you always relayed urgent matters directly to me at the palace. How come you've forgotten the rules now that we're in the military camp?"
Head Imperial Physician Hu, who was struggling to persuade Meng Can not to leave, was bewildered by Wei Zheng's words.
"I... didn't submit any memorial."
Wei Zheng rolled his eyes. Still denying it?
"Would the Emperor falsely accuse you? His Majesty has ordered you to wait in Doctor Meng's tent. He'll be here shortly to discuss the new medical technique you wrote about in your memorial."
"I really didn't submit anything. What new medical—!" Head Imperial Physician Hu stopped mid-denial, his eyes widening as he looked at Wei Zheng.
"I have a new medical technique?"
"You remember now?" Wei Zheng scoffed.
Head Imperial Physician Hu didn't know whether to laugh or cry. What did he remember?
Submitting a memorial to the Emperor was something that never happened!
For the past two days, he had been busy learning the Empress's suturing techniques, working only with pig trotters and pigskin.
He hadn't thought of any new medical techniques; this must be the Emperor's idea!
The Emperor was trying to give him credit again!
This immense fortune made Head Imperial Physician Hu's hands tremble. How could he deserve this?
But now was not the time to decline!
He would have the chance to learn a new method!
This was a blessing for the Imperial Academy of Medicine and for the entire country!
Head Imperial Physician Hu grew excited at the thought and looked at Wei Zheng with anticipation, "Eunuch Wei, what did His Majesty say I wrote in my memorial?"
Wei Zheng glared at him. Well, well, he had to admire this act of playing dumb.
Head Imperial Physician Hu didn't even know what he himself had written!
"Don't stop me! Even if you beat me to death, don't expect me to stay!"
"I will never stay. I will never use Sleep Saint Powder again in this life. I swear, if I use it again, I'll take my own life!"
Meng Can pushed Meng Chun aside and rushed out of the tent with his medicine box.
"Next time you die, don't call for me!"
Wei Zheng frowned and stepped aside to avoid being knocked over by Meng Can.
Then he turned to Head Imperial Physician Hu and said sarcastically, "Head Imperial Physician Hu, since your memory is poor, let me remind you."
"His Majesty will be here soon to ask you about the new method you claim to have devised for chest surgery, which requires pain relief and infection reduction for abscesses."
Wei Zheng sneered, "If you dare to deceive His Majesty, you'll be in big trouble, Head Imperial Physician Hu. You'd better actually have a method and not be making this up..."
He was still threatening when suddenly, a bull-like figure charged back into the tent from outside, bumping into him!
Wei Zheng turned angrily.
But he saw that Meng Can, who had rushed back, completely ignored him and went straight to Head Imperial Physician Hu, "What? He said you came up with what? Chest surgery for pain relief and reducing abscesses?"
"..." Head Imperial Physician Hu opened his mouth, "...Ah."
Meng Can dropped his medicine box with a thud, "What do you mean 'ah'? Do you have it or not?"
"Tell me the formula! Listen!" Meng Can stamped his foot, "I won't take advantage of you. If the formula works, I'll take your surname from today and even become your disciple!"
Head Imperial Physician Hu: "...Hmm..."
He wanted to speak, really.
But he didn't know what to say.
"Well, let's wait for His Majesty to arrive before discussing it."
Meng Can glared at him, while Meng Chun looked at Head Imperial Physician Hu in confusion.
For the past two days, they had been suturing pigskin together. When and how did Head Imperial Physician Hu come up with this?
...
Fifteen minutes later.
Xiao Yunzhou really did arrive, hands clasped behind his back, and went straight into Doctor Meng's medical tent.
Seeing an unfamiliar man in plain clothes with jet-black hair, looking spirited and middle-aged, Xiao Yunzhou's heart skipped a beat.
This must be the hidden master of Jing Country, Meng Can, now recognized by the celestial realm as an elite.
"Head Imperial Physician Hu, you can speak now. His Majesty has arrived."
Meng Can, imitating his nephew's manner, gave a rough bow to the emperor and then impatiently urged Head Imperial Physician Hu to speak.
Head Imperial Physician Hu's face was embarrassed, his cheeks flushed as he lowered his head.
"Actually, it wasn't me, it was His Majesty—"
Apart from the emperor, there were only the three physicians present.
When it came down to it, Head Imperial Physician Hu dared not take credit for the emperor's achievement.
Xiao Yunzhou coughed lightly, "Alright, since you couldn't figure it out, I'll do it for you..."
Meng Can and Meng Chun couldn't help but look up, gazing at him in surprise.
Xiao Yunzhou cleared his throat,
"In the past, medical texts have mentioned using fire and alcohol to treat knives used for lancing boils and treating arrow wounds."
Before he could finish, Meng Can was already shaking his head and waving his hands, "That won't work."
"What kind of expert is this? Rubbish! Even after dousing with alcohol and removing the abscess, there are still many cases of reinfection..." Meng Can frowned, contradicting him just like his nephew would, "This method has some use, but it still has flaws, and besides, our ancestors already thought of this. How is this anything new?"
Head Imperial Physician Hu pondered for a while but couldn't think of anything. However, he stopped Meng Can, "Don't be hasty, Elder Meng. His Majesty surely hasn't finished speaking."
Xiao Yunzhou nodded, "Indeed. What I want to say is—it's not that this method doesn't work, it's that the alcohol in our Jing Country isn't strong enough!"
"!"
"??"
Meng Chun and Meng Can were startled.
Evidently, they had considered the issue with alcohol before but hadn't found a solution.
Now, Xiao Yunzhou's words gently pushed away the fog before their eyes, illuminating the path ahead.
"The alcohol in our Jing Country isn't strong or concentrated enough."
"!"
"After hearing Doctor Meng's concerns about wound infections that day, I asked Liu Runnian from the Ministry of Works to find a solution. He came up with a method to distill strong alcohol."
Xiao Yunzhou stepped forward, raising his head in the sunlight.
"This morning, he produced a new strong alcohol, two to three times as potent as Jing Country's previous strongest liquor."
"!!"