"I know about penicillin; it's a good thing."
Yuan Xiu beckoned to the four men, then turned and walked toward the garden corridor, saying, "Walk with me for a while, and we'll talk as we go."
Xu Shouli followed, maintaining a suitable distance from Yuan Xiu, and reported to Yuan Xiu a revised version of the Oriental Chamber of Commerce plan that Xu An had told him.
After listening, Yuan Xiu remained silent for a while before saying, "Is Mr. Minghua's attitude very firm?"
Xu Shouli said, "As far as I know, both the Champion King and General Wang went to Yanchuan to seek medicine, but to no avail. Mr. Minghua is now willing to put penicillin on the market thanks to the repeated and earnest persuasion of the Xiao family of Jingdong."
Yuan Xiu said, "Isn't she a miracle doctor? A miracle doctor should practice medicine and save lives. Why has she been unwilling to mass-produce penicillin and put it on the market?"
Xu Shouli shook his head and said, "I don't know about that. But I suspect that since she developed the medicine, she knows the true nature of it best. No one knows better than her about its research, production, and efficacy. If she is unwilling to mass-produce it, it must be because there are still problems with the medicine itself."
Yuan Xiu asked, "What is the Marquis of Qingdong's opinion?"
Knowing that the crucial moment had arrived, Marquis Qingdong said calmly, "I agree with the Xiao family's approach. With Mr. Minghua's clinic as the main body, the Xiao family's chamber of commerce will cooperate with the imperial court. Since it is a truly life-saving medicine, then the government, merchants, and doctors should cooperate. This way, it can reach all levels of society and save more people."
Yuan Xiu did not reply, but looked at Wen Tai and Mu Shanyue and said, "Since you have all come along, tell me your opinions."
Wen Tai stepped forward and said, "I believe that Marquis Qingdong's consideration is inappropriate!"
Yuan Xiu was somewhat surprised, as Wen Tai hadn't been this sharp-tongued in a long time during political discussions.
He usually takes a gradual approach, like boiling a frog in lukewarm water, and doesn't strongly oppose other people's opinions.
I never expected them to be so resolute this time.
Wen Tai continued, "Regarding penicillin, I sent people to investigate the Zhennan Border Army and also inquired in detail about Wang Ren's analysis and opinions on this drug. From what I understand, penicillin is simply a treasure for the army and a vital national asset!"
"How can such a precious artifact remain among the common people?"
"Your Majesty, you must consider this carefully!"
Yuan Xiu walked out of the corridor and headed towards the lotus pond not far away, saying, "Left Prime Minister, you call it a treasure?"
"This is well worth it!"
Wen Tai said solemnly, "I am not exaggerating when I say that such a treasure is worth a thousand troops! If we had this during the Northern Expedition, our Jing Army would have suffered tens of thousands fewer casualties!"
"Therefore, I believe that penicillin should be kept under Your Majesty's control, produced uniformly by the court, and distributed as needed. To put it bluntly, if the empire encounters an emergency and must enter into war, having this substance on hand will prevent the court from panicking. Otherwise, we would have to collect it from the people on short notice! In that case, wouldn't the court have to rely on the people again?"
Upon hearing this, Yuan Xiu's eyes narrowed slightly.
Wen Tai and Xu Shouli were both familiar with Yuan Xiu's reaction; he had been persuaded.
Xu Shouli quickly said, "But Master Minghua doesn't even give face to the Champion King and the Grand General. How can you expect her to hand over the penicillin formula to the court? If we take a hard line, she'll fight to the death, and the court will not only fail to gain anything but will also be condemned by the people! Master Minghua has extremely high prestige among the people! Your Majesty, please reconsider!!!"
Wen Tai said, "We have to come up with a solution. I never said we should use force!"
Xu Shouli said, "Shi Minghua has already made a concession by agreeing to put penicillin on the market. I'm afraid that if I push her too hard, it will backfire!"
Wen Tai shouted, "Are you afraid of ruining your plans and letting this business slip away from your Ministry of Revenue?"
"The Left Prime Minister!!"
Xu Shouli, a man who dared to lash out even at the emperor, immediately retorted angrily, "Have you lost your mind?! If what you say goes, and the court gets its hands on penicillin, my Ministry of Revenue will only benefit more! I'm doing this for the court's sake, so we don't let this deal fall through, or the court will end up with nothing!"
"Oh dear... Marquis Qingdong, Prime Minister, you two calm down. Let's talk business, don't push your luck!"
Yuan Xiu and his entourage had reached the edge of the lotus pond. Yuan Xiu waved for everyone to sit around the table and instructed the eunuchs and maids beside him, "Pick some lotus pods for the adults to try."
Yuan Xiu smiled and said, "Elder Mu, you tell them to calm down."
Mu Shanyue sat upright, stroked his beard, and said, "Although Marquis Qingdong and the Left Prime Minister each hold their own views, their starting points are correct, and they are both for the sake of the Dajing Dynasty. However, this old minister's views are different from theirs."
Yuan Xiu said, "What I want is a different opinion, Elder Mu, please speak."
Mu Shanyue continued, "Many years ago, I met Shi Minghua once. At that time, she was just a young girl who had just started out. But I already knew that she was a pure person. She only cared about practicing medicine and saving people and did not care about worldly matters."
"In my opinion, since she is unwilling to offer penicillin to the court, there is no need for the court to force her."
"But... I do not agree with what Marquis Qingdong said about the cooperation between the chamber of commerce and the imperial court."
Mu Shanyue said solemnly, "Since the goal is to save all living beings and let penicillin save more people, the Chamber of Commerce should not be involved. Merchants ultimately prioritize profit. If the price of penicillin is raised, how can ordinary people afford it? It would be better to support Shi Minghua in opening more clinics so that she can save lives."
“What Elder Mu said is absolutely right!” Wen Tai immediately agreed, saying, “Your Majesty, I certainly want penicillin to be in the hands of the court, but if that’s not possible, I believe Elder Mu’s view is correct.”
"Such precious artifacts, if they fall into the hands of merchants, will inevitably become rare commodities, leading to price gouging."
"This is still considered good. If it fell into the hands of someone with ulterior motives, things could change!"
Yuan Xiu's face immediately darkened.
The phrase "emptiness breeds change" resonated deeply with him.
What if businessmen sell their products abroad for profit?
What if reactionary forces emerge within Yasukuni and obtain penicillin?
Xu Shouli, observing Yuan Xiu's expression and worried that the emperor might be thinking too deeply, immediately said, "The Eastern Chamber of Commerce has issued a strict order not to sell to Southern Zhou or other countries, and has established a special agency to crack down on drug dealers. Their attitude proves that they have also considered this aspect."
Wen Tai retorted, "They have this attitude now because they're eager to do business. Once their business grows, can you guarantee they won't go back on their word?"
"Lord Qingdong, they are profit-driven merchants. If something really goes wrong in the future, can you handle it?"
“Every profession has its bad apples. If you act so hesitantly and cautiously, you'll never get anything done!” Xu Shouli bowed to Yuan Xiu and said, “I have said all I need to say. Please make your decision, Your Majesty!”
Yuan Xiu was also caught in a dilemma. He snatched the lotus seedpod from the palace maid and began peeling it himself.
At this moment, He Yin stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, as the Minister of Justice, I should not speak on this matter. However… I do have my own opinion on this matter.”
"May I say a few words, as if I were asking His Majesty for a reward?"
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