Because Li Shize had helped her before, and she had given Wei Jinglan medicine twice, the two were acquaintances. In addition, this matter was very important, so Meng Zhao went straight to the point and said, "I came here this time to ask Doctor Li to take a look at something for me."
Seeing Meng Zhao's serious expression, Li Shize didn't delay any longer and led Meng Zhao to a private consultation room. Meng Zhao placed the packet of herbs on the table and pointed to the poppy shells inside. "Dr. Li, could you please take a look at what this is?"
Li Shize took a pair of tongs and carefully removed the two poppy shells, examining them closely.
"This looks like a medicinal herb mentioned in medical books, called Aphrodisiac, which has the effect of relieving cough. This herb is not produced in the Central Plains, and common herbs such as licorice, bitter almonds, or ephedra can replace its effects. Very few doctors know how to prescribe this herb. Why is Madam Meng asking about this?"
Meng Zhao's expression turned serious, and he said earnestly, "I found this in the broth that Zhao Ji Braised Pork had discarded. I read about it in a travelogue when I was traveling before. It said that this stuff can be addictive. If you use it too much, not only will you be unable to quit, but it can also easily damage your body and mind. That's why I came to ask you for advice."
In the past, Li Shize might have been skeptical of Meng Zhao's statement, since he had read many medical books but had never seen any record of this substance being poisonous.
But judging from the reactions of the young apprentice at Huichuntang and the couple who came to have their pulses checked, their unusual behavior these days is related to Zhao's braised pork. Could it be that this dish is really poisonous?
Thinking of this, he dared not slack off any longer and quickly went to the backyard to ask his master to come and make a decision.
Li Shize's master was the same doctor Wang who treated Wei Jinglan. Huichuntang was originally opened by his father and later passed down to him. It has been several decades since then.
After hearing Li Shize's detailed explanation, Doctor Wang first carefully searched through several classic medical books on the bookshelf in the room, and then went to meet Meng Zhao.
The three sat around a table with various medical books spread out on it, flipping through and discussing them page by page. Doctor Wang, having read extensively, immediately found the biography of a traveling doctor, which mentioned that he had encountered a country doctor who used poppy shells to administer medicine to save people during his travels.
Initially, the treatment was very effective, and the patients' conditions improved rapidly. However, they gradually became thinner and thinner, and for the next few years, they were almost always accompanied by medicine.
Ultimately, after only five years, he became emaciated, resembling a skeleton, and passed away prematurely.
Meng Zhao immediately asked, "Doctor Wang, whose medical book is this?"
Doctor Wang sighed softly, looking somewhat helpless. "This can hardly be considered a medical book. It's just a record from one of my father's friends' travels. If it's used as evidence, I'm afraid it won't be convincing."
Meng Zhao frowned. He heard from Li Shize that some people had experienced withdrawal symptoms, but none of them were serious. Did they really have to wait until people were completely addicted before they could continue.
When Meng Zhao's eyes fell on the braised dishes on the table, she suddenly remembered something and invited Doctor Wang and Doctor Li to go out with her.
The donkey cart sped along until it reached Liu Fengxian's house in Shenjia Village. When Liu Fengxian saw Meng Zhao coming, her face instantly lit up with a bright smile. "Zhao Zhao, what brings you here? Is there something you need to arrange?"
Meng Zhao only said a few words to her before taking the two doctors straight to the rabbit cage in the backyard. Looking at the lively rabbits, Meng Zhao sighed, "Alas, there's no other way. To save lives, you have to be sacrificed."
Rabbits share many genetic similarities with humans, giving them a unique advantage in medical research. They can produce symptoms similar to those in humans, and because rabbits are timid and sensitive, they react very noticeably to even the slightest problem. Their small size also means they require smaller drug doses, resulting in faster effects, making them ideal for experiments.
However, because the rabbits are so timid, moving them around might frighten them, so we had to ask Doctor Wang and Doctor Li to stay in Shenjia Village for a few days.
"Aunt Fengxian, I'm so sorry, Doctor Wang and Doctor Li will be coming over to bother you quite often these days."
Liu Fengxian waved her hand at her, "It's nothing. I'm not the only one at home. Besides, you have helped me so much. Your business is my business. Don't be shy."
Although pork is the main product in Meng Zhao's braised pork shop, the daily demand for rabbit meat is also considerable. Aunt Fengxian raises rabbits at home and has a stable income every day. Nowadays, her husband often helps her, so she goes hunting less often and doesn't have to live in fear all day. Therefore, when she sees Meng Zhao now, she feels closer to her than to her own daughter.
After saying goodbye to Liu Fengxian, Meng Zhao went to the workshop, found a villager, and asked him to buy a portion of braised meat from Zhao's Braised Pork every day, add extra broth, and then give it to Liu Fengxian.
He then inspected the construction progress of the village school and the pig farm, and returned to the shop after seeing that everything was going smoothly.
These days, Meng Zhao has been looking at the opposite shop, where the business is getting better and better even though the prices have been raised. She looks worried. The shop assistants all think that she is worried because the shop's business has been declining recently, so they usually act carefully and dare not make her angry.
Seeing their cautious demeanor, Meng Zhao didn't say much and could only hope that news from Shenjia Village would arrive soon.
After waiting for about ten days, Dr. Wang and Dr. Li finally returned to the county with solemn expressions, carrying with them the report on the rabbit's reaction after taking the medicine.
Judging from their expressions, Meng Zhao knew that there was finally evidence for this matter, and hurriedly went to the entrance of the county government office.
Although Dr. Wang was already fifty years old, he was still in good spirits. He picked up the grievance drum and pounded it hard.
Before long, the gates of the county government office slowly opened, and several constables strode out and led the four people standing at the gate inside.
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