Since the news of the opening of the border trade was released, Liu Hong received dozens of memorials in just a few days, all of which requested an increase in the unit price of transactions.

The memorial was full of righteous indignation, which left Liu Hong, Xi Zhicai, and Zhong Yao speechless. When faced with huge profits, they didn't care about so-called propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame.

"Your Majesty, I believe that opening up trade in grain and salt might cause fluctuations in grain prices within the Han Dynasty, thereby affecting the lives of the people."

Xi Zhicai looked at Liu Hong with some worry. He couldn't condone the greed of those people, and he was also worried that some unscrupulous people would take the opportunity to raise grain prices within the Great Han territory.

Liu Hong narrowed his eyes slightly and said in a deep voice, "Hmm! Zhi Cai is right. We must be wary of this. I have already given them half of the benefits, which is a great favor. If anyone is still greedy, I will not be polite!"

"Jian Shuo, immediately notify Yang Qiu to send everyone out. Anyone who takes advantage of the situation to hoard goods or drive up prices will be executed on the spot!"

"promise!"

Jian Shuo hurriedly accepted the order and left in a hurry.

"Your Majesty, I have a method that may be feasible! It will not only not affect grain prices among the people, but will also increase the revenue of the border troops and the national treasury!"

Liu Hong looked at Zhong Yao, "Oh? What plan does Yuan Chang have? Tell me quickly!"

Zhong Yao smiled slightly, “Your Majesty can issue an edict to clearly inform those powerful families and merchants that the shares they receive are only for the national treasury and official granaries, and they are not allowed to raise funds to purchase shares privately! If there are no official receipts, the border troops can seize them immediately! Moreover, the national treasury and official granaries can also use those funds to purchase shares from those who do not have shares.”

"Hmm! Yuan Chang's idea is good! Sharing the benefits is excellent, let's do it this way!"

Liu Hong nodded and then said, "Let them buy the grain from the national treasury and official granaries at twice the price."

Furthermore... the horses and sheep they bring back must be sold to the border troops at the normal market price, while the cattle should be brought back and sold to local governments! With them helping with the errands, the imperial court can save a lot of manpower and resources.”

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Zhong Yao complimented, "The Emperor truly lives up to his title; his thoughts are so comprehensive."

"Yuan Chang will be in charge of overseeing this matter! Go find the Grand Tutor and the Minister of Works; they will help you!"

"promise!"

Zhong Yao left with a happy expression. Having followed the emperor for so long, this was the first time he had received a task assigned by the emperor.

Not long after Zhong Yao left, Zhang Rang hurriedly arrived at Deyang Palace.

"Your Majesty, Hua Tuo has arrived and is waiting outside the palace for your audience!"

"Quickly, let him in!"

Upon hearing the emperor say "please" again, Zhang Rang paused for a moment, then quickly walked to the outside of the palace.

"Dr. Hua, His Majesty summons you! Please come with me!"

Hua Tuo followed Zhang Rang into the hall with a reserved demeanor. Although he was not a talkative man, he was still very excited at this moment.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects..."

"Yuanhua, there's no need for such formalities, please sit down!"

Like Hua Tuo, Liu Hong was also very excited at this moment. In his opinion, one Hua Tuo was worth tens of thousands of elite soldiers, and perhaps even more.

"Uh... Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Looking at Hua Tuo, who sat demurely on the stool, Liu Hong smiled slightly and said gently, "Yuanhua, how have you been feeling at the medical school these past few days?"

"The most famous physicians of the Han Dynasty have gathered here. I have benefited greatly from talking and discussing with them these past few days!"

"That's good! I've read your exam paper and found it very insightful. Could you please explain it to me in detail?"

"promise!"

The descriptions in the exam paper were limited, and Liu Hong was still unsure just how advanced Hua Tuo's surgical skills were at that time, so he felt it would be better to find out in person.

Hua Tuo then described in detail his years of experience in treating external injuries and individual cases.

As Liu Hong listened, he nodded repeatedly. In this era without anti-inflammatory drugs and sophisticated instruments, for no other reason than Hua Tuo's courage to operate on people and remove parts, one couldn't help but admire him.

Although Liu Hong listened with great interest, Xi Zhicai and Zhang Rang, who were standing to the side, were terrified. Zhang Rang, in particular, looked at Hua Tuo with a hint of fear in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, even Xi Zhicai looked at Hua Tuo in disbelief, "Dr. Hua, are you saying that human bones can be removed from the body?"

Hua Tuo nodded. "That's right. Although bones provide support for the human body, if they break inside the body, they can cause long-term, persistent pain, and even kill a person from the agony!"

Xi Zhicai frowned and continued, "But the pain of cutting flesh and removing bone is no less than that of a broken bone, right? And who could endure that?"

"That's not a problem. I've developed a drug that can paralyze people, which can greatly reduce the sensation of pain after taking it!"

Liu Hong was taken aback: "Is Yuanhua talking about Mafeisan?"

Hua Tuo was taken aback, then nodded: "Uh, it is indeed Mafeisan. How did Your Majesty know?"

Hua Tuo looked at Liu Hong with a puzzled expression. He had only been developing this anesthetic for a short time, and apart from himself and his disciples, almost no one knew about it.

"Hmm! Judging from the medicine's effects, guessing its name shouldn't be difficult!"

Liu Hong realized his lapse in composure and then made up an excuse without batting an eye.

"I see! Your Majesty is indeed incredibly wise!"

Hua Tuo had no doubt about the emperor's words. He simply felt that the emperor was indeed as wise, learned, and powerful as the rumors suggested, and without realizing it, he began to flatter him.

Liu Hong nodded with a normal expression. He was pleasantly surprised by Hua Tuo's surgical skills, but they were only limited to observable external injuries. Hua Tuo seemed to have only a superficial understanding of the complex structure of the human body and the relationships between its tissues.

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