Chapter 26 The Tragedy of the Little People
When Li's father and elder brother returned to the Li family, they were able to avoid the Jinwu Guards who were patrolling during the curfew that night, thanks to the information given by the hunchbacked man who opened the door for them at the Bad People's Office in Chang'an.
Although Brother Li himself was a member of the Imperial Guard, due to the matter of Emperor Taizong, from then on, no one below the rank of General knew the guard situation in various places. Every team and every password was issued on the same day to avoid collusion between insiders and outsiders as much as possible, so as to prevent similar incidents from happening.
Li's mother helped Li's father pour hot water to wash up, and as she combed his hair, she asked, "How is it? Is there any way to fix it?"
"Mr. Bu Ke means there's nothing to worry about. Lord Di will come to investigate the case. Third Sister saved people on her own, so she should be fine. However, the higher-ups are interested in the methods Third Sister used to save people on two separate occasions."
"They knew about this too?"
"Both the Bad People and the Secret Guards are under the control of the higher-ups, just not from the same system. How could I not know that? What I fear is that the higher-ups have taken an interest in Third Sister herself. If Da Lang and I get caught up in this mess, there's nothing we can do. We absolutely cannot let Third Sister get into this mess as well."
Startled by her father's words, Li's mother lost her focus and accidentally scratched her father's scalp, causing him to hiss in pain.
"Don't worry, once I've found out the details of this method from Third Sister, I'll write it down and submit it. I absolutely won't let Third Sister take the lead!" Father Li hurriedly pulled Mother Li down to sit, patting her flustered hand to comfort her.
Rain began to fall unnoticed by humans, the earthy smell filled the nostrils, and the damp air made it even more stuffy and hard to breathe.
Li Silang agreed to Little Dewdrop's request and moved Little Yellow's doghouse from under the jujube tree to outside the main hall's porch, because Dewdrop was afraid that rainwater dripping from the jujube tree would flood Little Yellow's doghouse.
The whole family ate breakfast together. Brother Li went to work, the four children went to the academy, and even Mother Li went to the house of someone she had arranged to deliver a baby.
The weather doesn't affect people's lives; they still have to go on.
Li's father asked Li San Niang a question while sitting on a chair in the corridor. Li Er Xiong took Lu Zhu'er to Li Er Sao to look after her for a while, and then the three of them started talking.
Father Li asked questions, Third Sister Li answered, and Second Brother Li asked questions and took notes.
I've already written two pages. One point is to confirm that the use of liquor for disinfection, mentioned in "Essential Medical Techniques for Ulcer Treatments," is indeed very effective in preventing infection and promoting wound healing.
For example, the episiotomy wound from Li Ersao's previous childbirth has healed to the point of being invisible, and Li Sanniang's knee has scabbed over today.
Another point is the method by which Li San Niang saved the young man from the Qian family. Li San Niang described in detail how to save people from beginning to end, and also divided the methods of saving people into different methods for adults and children, as well as the difference between self-rescue and rescue by others.
"It would be best to have someone draw a picture to make it clearer. Do Dalang and the others study painting at the academy? It would be good to have Dalang draw it."
"No need, your second brother can draw it himself."
“I often go to the countryside to collect medicinal herbs, so I drew diagrams for the villagers to see, so they can find the herbs by following the diagrams. I understand what Third Sister said in general. I will draw a diagram for you to see when I get back. If it is not right, I will revise it.”
In this way, Li San Niang carefully explained the method of cardiopulmonary resuscitation to Li's father and second brother, emphasizing that chest compressions must be performed first and quickly, as this was like snatching a life from the jaws of death, so speed was crucial.
Li San Niang also said that this method can be used not only for drowning people, but also for people who suddenly faint and stop breathing and heartbeat.
However, these methods are only emergency measures and do not guarantee that they will bring the person back to life. I was extremely lucky to have saved people using these two methods these two times.
The three of them revised and discussed Li San Niang's method, pointing out any flaws or inappropriate aspects.
"I think others would find it hard to accept the place where Third Sister talks about giving people oxygen by passing on her breath. Especially those noble people, and some pedantic scholars might still find it outrageous."
"Second brother, I want to share this method of saving lives! I don't want any money! When the time comes, it's up to them to decide whether to use it if they encounter it. I believe that wise people will choose life over morality."
When Li's father heard that Li San Niang wanted to share these two methods publicly, his first thought was that it was unacceptable!
If Li San Niang were to make it public in her own name, then she would have to face the daunting challenges herself!
A person's mouth can talk a dead person.
Although Empress Wu was an empress, she was first and foremost an emperor, and only secondly a woman.
Just because you have an empress doesn't mean that a woman's status will rise steadily and become comparable to that of a man.
This world is ultimately more difficult for women.
Not to mention, even if they said before the announcement that there was no guarantee that this method could save everyone, and they listened carefully, but then it really didn't work out, then it wouldn't be so easy to deal with them.
When the time comes, the world will be in turmoil, and Li Sanniang will have no other choice but to be forced to her death!
Before Li's father could object, Li Sanniang continued, "I know Father's concerns, I understand. So, I was thinking, could I share this method with the Chang'an Medical Alliance where Father and Second Brother are? After they verify it and know if it's true or not, could I share this method for free in exchange for an opportunity? A chance for me to join the alliance and, after passing the assessment, open my own practice like Father!"
"Third Sister! You..."
Brother Li was startled by Sister Li's words, not even noticing the large blob of ink that had dripped onto her skin. He looked at Sister Li with great surprise.
"Then the Imperial Medical Bureau will decide whether to teach this method to its branches in various prefectures and counties. That will no longer be my responsibility; it will be the Emperor's business. I am just an unknown nobody; my life will not be in danger!"
Li's father, accustomed to grand occasions, was not as surprised as his second brother for too long. "Third sister's idea is somewhat feasible, but it still needs to be considered. The alliance is divided into factions, no less than a small court. If we can get more than half of them to give their permission, third sister's idea can still work."
As the three were racking their brains for a solution, Sister-in-law Li hurried over and told Father Li that an official from the Court of Judicial Review had come to deliver a message that Vice Minister Di of the Court of Judicial Review would come to the Li family in the evening after the four children finished school to learn about the specific circumstances of Li San Niang's treatment of the daughter of the Duke of Liang.
Li's father thought to himself: They've arrived, it really is Di Shaoqing!
Li San Niang was thinking: Di Shaoqing? Is he the Di Shaoqing I'm thinking of?
By afternoon, the rain had stopped, but the overcast sky foreshadowed another downpour that night.
To show respect for the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, the four children did not change out of their scholar robes after school. Even Little Dewdrop was forced to change into a new dress by her mother, Li, who had just returned from delivering her baby.
The fabric for this skirt was the same light green color that Li San Niang and Li Da Sao picked out when they bought kapok at the fabric shop last time. They asked Li Da Sao to sew it for them. Li Da Sao also used the fabric she had saved to make a matching top for Lu Zhu'er. The light yellow and light green were really lovely.
The whole family, except for Brother Li who was still on duty, including Sister-in-law Li who was still in her second month of maternity leave, gathered in the main hall. They hadn't even eaten dinner yet, for fear that it would be awkward if Di Shaoqing arrived while they were eating.
After much anticipation, Di Shaoqing arrived with two subordinates as the last rays of dawn broke.
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