Physician Zhang led several other physicians behind him, heads bowed, into the main hall.
Upon seeing Gu Jiangli, Physician Zhang's brows trembled.
A feeling of fear and tension made him subconsciously shrug his shoulders.
But he quickly calmed down.
Following palace etiquette, I bowed deeply to the emperor.
The emperor was not in high spirits at this moment, and was clearly somewhat disappointed with the Imperial Medical Academy. He quickly said:
"You've come at the right time. I was just wondering how the people of the Imperial Medical Academy are doing things. Why is it that even though you and Doctor Liu Kang both have prescriptions, the people are choosing Doctor Liu Kang instead of the Imperial Medical Academy?"
"Is it because the common people simply don't believe in the medical skills of the imperial physicians?"
"If that's really the case, then you imperial physicians have failed miserably."
Physician Zhang opened his lips, about to speak, but was interrupted by Gu Jiangli stepping forward.
“I can explain this to Physician Zhang.”
The emperor raised an eyebrow, quite surprised. "Oh?"
Seeing the surprised expression on Physician Zhang's face, Gu Jiangli chuckled inwardly and continued:
"After the Imperial Medical Academy's prescription was posted, I sent someone to make a copy and bring it back."
"I don't know much about medicine, so I took the prescription and asked Doctor Liu, and then I asked a few other patients."
"I soon understood why no one was using the prescriptions from the Imperial Medical Academy."
"The reason is very simple: it's too expensive, Your Majesty."
The emperor was stunned, as if he hadn't reacted yet, "Too expensive?"
Gu Jiangli nodded, "Yes, if we get a prescription from the Imperial Hospital, it might cost an ordinary family a whole year's expenses. For poorer people, it might take two years' worth of expenses to buy a single prescription."
"However, Doctor Liu's medicine is relatively much cheaper, and even if the people trust the medical skills of the Imperial Hospital, they dare not risk their entire year's expenses."
"At this time, Doctor Liu's prescription appeared again, which could also cure the disease. The price of one dose of medicine was less than one percent of that of the Imperial Hospital. Of course, the people would choose Doctor Liu."
After regaining his senses, the emperor suddenly realized what had happened, and a weight was lifted from his heart.
"I see." He was much relieved. "So it wasn't that the people didn't trust the Imperial Hospital, but that they couldn't afford the prescriptions they received."
Gu Jiangli's explanation made the emperor suddenly realize the truth, but the ministers in the hall did not have the same feeling.
Because they knew from the beginning how exorbitantly expensive a single dose of medicine was on the Imperial Medical Academy's prescription.
Let alone ordinary people, even they would have to think carefully before taking out that money.
They're not fools, and money doesn't grow on trees. If there's cheap and effective medicine, why buy such expensive herbs to treat their illness?
The ministers pondered silently, and no one spoke.
Physician Zhang was dumbfounded when he heard what Gu Jiangli was saying to them.
But then, he immediately seized the opportunity and spoke:
"Yes, as His Majesty said, the reason why the people don't use our prescriptions is because they can't afford them. But we can't conclude that the Imperial Medical Academy is the loser in this gamble just because of that."
"The fact that they don't use our medicine doesn't prove that our medicine is ineffective."
"Therefore, Your Majesty, if we were to determine the outcome of this bet based solely on the General's wife's method, this old minister believes it would be far too frivolous and unfair."
"This old minister believes that this bet was originally set up by the Northern Qi in order to help the people get rid of the suffering of the plague as soon as possible. Now that we and Doctor Liu have our own prescriptions and can cure the disease, we should no longer pursue the outcome."
"Actually... a draw wouldn't be bad either."
Gu Jiangli smiled faintly.
She knew that Physician Zhang would use this excuse.
If the emperor wants to preserve the face and reputation of the Imperial Medical Academy, he might listen to Physician Zhang and simply let the bet end in a draw.
But she wasn't willing.
"Doctor Zhang, you are right. If the prescription from the Imperial Hospital is indeed effective, then my method of determining the winner is indeed unfair."
"But what if... the prescriptions from the Imperial Medical Academy are completely ineffective?"
"To put it another way, what if the prescription you gave can't cure the plague at all? In that case, wouldn't it be fair to admit that Doctor Liu Kang is the winner of this bet?"
Physician Zhang's expression changed drastically, and his voice rose considerably in an instant:
"Madam General, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want!"
"This prescription was found by more than twenty imperial physicians who worked day and night for three years!"
"Several palace maids have recovered after taking this prescription!"
"You can't just throw mud at someone to win a bet! That's so ungentlemanly!"
Gu Jiangli was not angry at all the accusations; instead, she smiled calmly.
"Why is Doctor Zhang in such a hurry?"
"I dislike being wronged the most, and I also dislike wronging others the most, so I can't be careless in any matter that requires evidence."
"You said that several palace maids recovered after taking this medicine, so of course we are very happy."
"But adhering to the principle of boldly questioning and carefully verifying, Shi Yan entered the palace three days ago and began to investigate the matter. It is estimated that there should be results by now."
After Gu Jiangli finished speaking, Physician Zhang's eyes widened as big as lanterns.
His legs trembled with surprise, and his lips turned white.
Even the emperor on the dragon throne was extremely surprised and said:
"General Xie came to the palace to investigate this matter? I kindly invited him to stay, why did he never mention it to me?"
Gu Jiangli feigned surprise, "Ah? Didn't he mention it to His Majesty? Oh... maybe he wanted to share His Majesty's burdens and not let him worry. He always handles these kinds of small matters by himself."
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