Chapter 849 Common People's Medicine, Rich People's Tonic
Chen Yanfu looked at Tang Mingyue's expectant gaze, smiled slightly, and then lowered her head to whisper to Tang Mingyue, "That day when we went to see Third Sister, we only heard her mention this physician exchange meeting."
Seven days ago, Third Sister came to the maternity ward for an inspection. She gave us a lecture in the late afternoon and then spoke to me alone afterwards.
At that time, she told me in detail about the doctors' exchange meeting.
Firstly, they genuinely wanted to improve the skills of all the physicians in Chang'an, which would be good for everyone in the city.
Secondly, the Imperial Medical Bureau probably wanted to investigate again, as the last time they verified medical qualifications was five years ago.
Chang'an City is now more prosperous than ever, with twice as many people coming and going as before, especially from beyond the borders where many unique witch doctors have come.
Organizing such an exchange meeting inevitably involves dealing with these people and getting to know them.
Is this third?
Chen Yanfu smiled and pointed to the teacup in front of her. Tang Mingyue, being very considerate, quickly picked up the teapot and poured Chen Yanfu most of a cup of tea.
"My lady, please explain in detail why this is the third one."
Chen Yanfu recalled how Li Sanniang had explained it to her in the study room of the maternity ward: "Sister Afu, even if we have established maternity wards in both Chang'an and Luojing (Luoyang), the number of women and women we can truly help is still limited."
We still have too few female doctors. Learning this skill always requires some talent. Even an average female doctor needs at least five years to become a qualified doctor.
Therefore, I thought that if I wanted to help more people, producing ready-made medicine would be the most worthwhile thing to do.
Chen Yanfu was not the kind of Confucian scholar-official's daughter who never left her home. She came from a family of doctors and had come to Chang'an to work with Tang Mingyue at a young age. She understood Li Sanniang's feelings, but she did not approve of what Li Sanniang was talking about.
"Third Sister, this is really not an easy task to do."
Over the years, the Imperial Medical Academy and the Alliance have discussed the possibility of turning medicine into a finished product, but most of these proposals have only been started briefly before fizzling out.
Li San Niang nodded, then nodded to Song Fuling beside her. Song Fuling turned around and took out a booklet from the medical kit beside her.
“I know the difficulties you mentioned, but we can’t just give up on it because it’s difficult, can we?”
"Look, this is something I've carefully considered and written down over a long period of time. I've already consulted with Wang Shuzheng (Director of the Imperial Medical Bureau) and Princess Qingyang, and it's feasible."
When Li San Niang said that, Chen Yanfu had an idea. She thought to herself, "Maybe San Niangzi can do it?"
You know, I'm now a female official with a rank, and isn't that all thanks to Third Sister?
With this in mind, Chen Yanfu opened the booklet and began to read.
However, after only reading the beginning, Chen Yanfu looked up in surprise at Li Sanniang.
"...Third Sister's idea is really feasible!"
That's well said; it's all about interests!
If the sage approves, and with this lucrative opportunity hanging in the air, how could those big-time medicine merchants not take the bait?
Yes, Li San Niang's proposed method was "robbing the rich to help the poor," in other words, resource redistribution.
The Imperial Medical Bureau, in conjunction with major pharmaceutical merchants in the Chang'an Medical Alliance, exchanged prescriptions for a share of the profits, which the major pharmaceutical merchants then used to make and sell the finished products.
The medicine is divided into two types. Common people can buy commonly used medicines with their household registration, such as those for colds, headaches, diarrhea, and injuries. Among them, Li San Niang decided to add medicines for common gynecological diseases such as dysmenorrhea, metrorrhagia, and mastopathy, as well as medicines for several diseases common in pregnant and postpartum women.
This kind of medicine is definitely not profitable; it might even lose money.
If it weren't for the Tang Dynasty's expansion in recent years, the flourishing trade on land and sea, and the widespread cultivation of Bi Qionglan's high-yield hybrid wheat throughout the Tang Dynasty, especially in the north, with impressive yields, Li San Niang would not have dared to propose this method.
Because of the things mentioned above, the Tang Dynasty's tax revenue has indeed increased significantly in recent years.
With sufficient tax revenue as a foundation, and people able to have enough to eat, wouldn't it be possible to think about things from a higher perspective?
Even if Emperor Wu was willing to improve the medical security of his people and was willing to use force to compel major pharmaceutical companies to contribute money and manpower, this was ultimately not a long-term solution.
Therefore, Li San Niang's second medicine was a tonic specifically sold to the wealthy, to aristocratic families with plenty of spare money.
What do the rich fear most?
Their biggest fear is that someone dies before they've spent all their money.
Therefore, packaging tonics well and selling them to the wealthy definitely has a promising future.
Besides, this tonic prescription is made using a secret recipe from the palace, guaranteeing its effectiveness; it's not just some fancy trick to fool people.
Use a gimmick—it's a tonic that even saints take, how could they not want to buy it?
Then we'll package them in different tiers. The boxes for the medicine will be made of mahogany, pear wood, or carved designs. The smaller the quantity, the more expensive they will be. I don't believe they won't buy them!
Moreover, since taking tonics requires a long-term, continuous process, the resulting profits are enough for large pharmaceutical companies to offset the losses incurred by ordinary people from purchasing over-the-counter medicines.
Chen Yanfu was increasingly pleased as she looked at Li Sanniang, wondering how she could have so many ideas.
"According to what Third Sister said, the demand for medicinal herbs will increase in the future, so planting medicinal herbs can be put on the agenda. This will give the mountain people a way out, and they can make a living by planting medicinal herbs. It's really a great thing!"
"Yes, that is indeed one aspect. However, we need to see how this physician exchange meeting develops first. If it works out, it would be even better if it could inspire small and medium-sized pharmaceutical companies to take action as well."
Chen Yanfu recounted everything from Li Sanniang's report to Tang Mingyue. As Tang Mingyue listened, her brows furrowed and then relaxed, furrowed and relaxed again. Chen Yanfu found it quite amusing to watch.
"So, does Third Sister mean to use this physician exchange conference to draw the attention of those who have secret recipes?"
After all, if a secret recipe is kept hidden, only a small portion of the ingredients can be used, and even if it can make money, how much of that is actually profitable?
Besides, if this leaves a good impression on the Imperial Medical Bureau, it will probably make things much easier for them in the future.
Third Sister, wasn't it because she taught those techniques to the Department of Ulcer Medicine of the Imperial Medical Bureau for free that she got the opportunity to participate in the Medical Alliance's assessment as a woman?
If they want someone in their family to enter officialdom, then taking this route is perfectly acceptable.
Chen Yanfu nodded repeatedly, and then said, "After thinking about it, I realized that only Third Sister could do this."
Chen Yanfu poured herself another cup of tea, and then lowered her voice again to whisper to Tang Mingyue, "You know, it's only Third Sister who has left her name before the Emperor."
Otherwise, who could make the Imperial Medical Bureau and the Alliance listen to her?
After the couple finished their conversation, their meal was served. After they had filled their stomachs, they had another pot of tea and talked for a while about the doctors' exchange meeting. They left when it was almost time for their afternoon shift to start.
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