Chapter 635 A Dream of Youth 167
Xie Ning sat among a group of adults. Although she was the shortest, she didn't feel any pressure. She simply asked someone to prepare pen and ink, and then she talked and took notes with these adults, using both her hands and brain. Having attended many meetings, she could quickly take notes without looking down.
However, she did not expect that because of this matter, the patriarch would get into an argument with one of the officials and lose the argument.
Xie Ning obediently played the quail, not participating in their struggles, and only opening her mouth to answer when asked.
By the time they finished talking, it was already late. Xie Ning rubbed his stomach, wondering if these old folks ever got hungry.
The old master also realized that it was getting late. He glanced at Xie Ning, who looked a little tired, and took out his purse and handed it to him, saying, "Here are some snacks for young Master Xie to have a little something to eat."
As for the others, Elder Zu wouldn't care. How could someone in their thirties or forties compare to an eleven or twelve-year-old child?
Xie Ning didn't stand on ceremony and took the meat and started eating. She had already finished the dried meat she brought while waiting for lunch in the morning. It was specially made by her grandmother, and it was fragrant and chewy with a little chili powder sprinkled on top. She couldn't resist the temptation and ate one piece after another.
As they went out together, Elder Zu couldn't help but bow his head and ask Xie Ning, "Young Master Xie, who is your teacher... no, who is Young Master Xie's father, Master Xie, taught?"
Xie Ning turned the corner and saw Xie Wangzhi waiting at the far end.
Stopping in his tracks, Xie Ning did not answer Elder Zu's question, but instead asked, "Why does Elder Zu ask this question?"
"I wonder if Lord Xie himself has noticed that your handwriting, your perspective on speaking and discussing matters, and some of your insights are somewhat similar to one person, or rather, somewhat similar to His Majesty."
This matter is not a secret. Someone like Elder Zu could easily find out with a little investigation. So, although Xie Ning did not intend to hide it, he still said, "Elder Zu, you might as well ask my father. He knows Grandmaster better."
As they spoke, they both looked at Xie Wangzhi, who had approached.
"Greetings, Lord Zu."
Xie Ning wisely lagged behind a few steps, giving the two some space.
"Wang Zhi's surname is He, and his given name is Qing'an. Does Master Zu know him?"
"I know him...no wonder we seem so familiar."
Looking at Xie Wangzhi's clear and bright face, Elder Zu felt somewhat gratified. "Qing'an, how have you been these past years?"
"Sir, you are very good. Although Quanzhou is located in a remote area, it has unique scenery and the people are simple and honest. His Highness Prince Duan has also opened up coastal trade. The people can not only benefit from fish and salt and the convenience of shipping, but the merchants coming and going have also boosted the economy of Quanzhou, making it quite prosperous."
The gentleman taught one or two students in his spare time, and occasionally enjoyed playing with his grandchildren; he lived a peaceful life.
"He seems to be living a very leisurely life," said the old man, whether with envy or a sigh.
He Qing'an was also a brilliant and talented person back then, but after the failure of the late emperor's reforms, he was ostracized in the court and strongly opposed the new laws when they were being promoted. As a result, he was demoted to the remote Lingnan.
Even the old patriarch couldn't understand why the old patriarchs who advocated for reform were now opposing the new law.
Perhaps he knew, but simply chose not to think about it.
"Lord Xie, do you know that His Majesty still cares for him?" Although the emperor was angry at the time, they were, after all, teacher and student, and their relationship was deep; it shouldn't have escalated to this point.
However, His Majesty later offered a way out, but the old man just wouldn't come down.
"I know." Otherwise, he wouldn't have been constantly summoned by the emperor to play chess when he was a compiler in the Hanlin Academy.
But even if I knew, what could I do? My teacher is getting old, and it's best not to get involved in the treacherous affairs of the court.
One must always consider the future generations; if one continues to fight and fall behind, the family will decline.
It would be better to maintain a proper distance while the emperor still has a teacher-student relationship with him, thus leaving a way out for his family.
As for ideals, Mr. He is old, but his disciples are not. There will always be someone who can carry on his legacy, not only Xie Wangzhi, but also others... In fact, people like them, regardless of their political views, all have the same goal.
Peace and prosperity for the nation—this is all there is to it.
The two didn't speak again, and Xie Ning quickly took a few steps forward to walk beside Xie Wangzhi.
“Lord Zu, if it is difficult to control, perhaps you should ask for a letter to Lord Shi again.”
The old master was stunned. When he came to his senses, he saw two figures, one large and one small, quietly disappear outside the palace gate.
The clouds are radiant, the sky is ablaze with light, and as night approaches, the lights are quietly cast upon the earth.
"Is Bao'er hungry?"
Xie Wangzhi looked down at Xie Ning, not missing the weariness in her eyes.
However, he didn't say anything. Although he felt sorry for Xie Ning, he was even more proud. He was proud to have such a child and proud that Xie Ning could walk with him.
"Yes, the jerky my grandmother made was so fragrant that I couldn't resist eating it all at once."
Xie Wangzhi then took out a box of pastries from the car and gave them to Xie Ning. The two were officials in a superior-subordinate relationship, so they would often discuss official matters in their spare time. Xie Ning offered many suggestions on the reform of the pharmacy.
Of course, cutting away rotten flesh is very painful, and Xie Wangzhi suffered many impeachments for this, but he would defend himself against them one by one in court, or write memorials to refute them.
Fortunately, the emperor supported him; otherwise, even if he was in the right, he would have had an even more difficult time.
In addition to some legal reforms targeting the pharmaceutical market, pharmacies are now considering cooperating with general pharmacies. However, a pilot program will be conducted in Beijing first, with Dejitang being the first choice.
Official medicines were not only traded freely in the medicine market, but were also sold in bulk to pharmacies for resale.
Xie Ning's suggestion included assigning more medical officers to local pharmacies, paying more attention to individual aspects such as disease diagnosis and treatment, and departmental drug sales, and further differentiating the drug use process from the harvesting and trading process.
The primary target group for medical treatment is impoverished households, who are provided with medicine free of charge or at more favorable prices.
This method is still being tested, and because of it, Xie Wangzhi has been impeached countless times for allegedly seizing the people's benefits.
Thinking of the way a certain official was spitting as he spoke in court today, Xie Wangzhi couldn't help but burst out laughing. Heaven knows how hard he had to hold back his laughter while trying to keep a straight face.
"By the way, is Bao'er going to teach at the Imperial Medical Bureau?"
Xie Ning's eyes lit up, but then he shook his head. "With my current qualifications, if I were to teach, not only would the headmaster not agree, but His Majesty would not approve either."
After all, although her medical skills are good, in the eyes of others, she lacks qualifications and her achievements in medicine are not impressive enough.
The seedlings are still small; we need to protect them first.
“I was wrong. Then, my dear, take your time. You are still young, there’s no rush.”
He knew about Xie Ning's school at the Women's Pharmaceutical Institute, after all, he was the one who got those textbooks.
Xie Ning's actions, which completely separated men and women, were indeed beneficial in preserving women's reputations, but they also had drawbacks.
If you conform to worldly customs, you will eventually be swept up by them; it's better to break free from them sooner rather than later.
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