"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, pay our respects!"
"No need for formalities, please have a seat!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After Zhang Bozu and Hua Tuo and the others took their seats, Liu Hong looked at them with a smile and asked with a laugh, "Doctor Zhang and the other doctors, have you brought me any good news to Deyang Palace?"
Zhang Bozu laughed and said, "Your Majesty is truly wise. Dr. Hua, Dr. Dong, and my disciple have indeed made new discoveries!"
As they spoke, Zhang Bozu took the detailed report on fungi that they had previously compiled and recorded from Hua Tuo's hands. "This is their newly discovered research that can inhibit the deterioration of wounds. Please take a look, Your Majesty!"
"What? Prevent the wound from worsening?"
Liu Hong was startled. Had they developed an anti-inflammatory drug?
"Quickly, bring it to me!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhong, who was standing next to Liu Hong, hurriedly went to Zhang Bozu's side, took the report from his hand, and then returned to Liu Hong's side.
Liu Hong took the reports from Zhao Zhong and began to examine them carefully.
"This is?"
After reading it, Liu Hong was filled with excitement. What kind of geniuses were these? They actually discovered the effects of penicillin so early?
If it weren't for his status as the emperor, Liu Hong would have loved to go up and give each of them a big hug.
During World War II, 100 kilograms of penicillin could fetch over 40 million US dollars. Keep in mind that an aircraft carrier at that time cost only 8 million US dollars.
This medicine is extremely important to a country, not only in war, but also in ensuring the survival and development of its population.
"Stay calm, you are the Son of Heaven, the Emperor of the Han Dynasty! You must maintain your dignity!" Liu Hong kept reminding himself, and only then did he manage to suppress his excitement.
However, Liu Hong soon realized a problem: penicillin belongs to the category of bacteria. Although people in ancient times knew that it could be sterilized by high temperature, there seemed to be little research on bacteria. Moreover, how could it be extracted with the level of industrial technology at that time?
Thinking of this, Liu Hong couldn't help but frown.
"Your Majesty, is there something amiss?"
Noticing that the emperor's expression changed from initial excitement to a sudden frown, Hua Tuo felt a pang of anxiety and couldn't help but ask.
"Oh, it's nothing. It's just that I felt a sudden pang of sorrow when I thought of those wounded soldiers."
After saying this, Liu Hong sighed sadly.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, we will do our utmost to research and strive to develop a new drug as soon as possible to repay Your Majesty's kindness!"
Dong Gan spoke solemnly, and Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing nodded firmly at the same time.
Liu Hong laughed and said, "You gentlemen are indeed rare talents. If this medicine is successful, it will save countless lives. Whatever your needs, I will fully support you!"
Although the development of penicillin may be difficult in this era, Liu Hong still chose to support them unconditionally, just for that sliver of hope.
"Your Majesty, we thank you!"
Zhang Bozu and Hua Tuo were also excited. With the emperor's support, they would have no more worries.
After inquiring about the recent situation at the medical school, Liu Hong expressed his satisfaction with the improved treatment efficiency of the medical students.
Although the methods used by those trainees caused the young men of the Imperial Guard to complain endlessly, they were only applied to the young men after countless experiments at the Medical School, so there was basically no need to worry about any accidents.
After Zhao Zhong escorted Zhang Bozu and the others out of Deyang Palace, Liu Hong also realized the importance of glass products for medical research.
Although Liu Hong had asked Mo Shang and others to try to make glass from sand, they were unable to get the kind they wanted, whether it was due to the wrong name of the raw material or some other reason. Then Liu Hong turned to look at the map of the Han Dynasty and his gaze fell on the Western Regions.
After a long while, Liu Hong turned to Zhao Zhong and said, "Go tell Lü Qiang to send a caravan to the Western Regions to purchase a large quantity of cotton and glass products, as well as various food seeds. Ideally, they should also obtain the planting and manufacturing methods!"
"promise!"
"Also, don't hide the news. If anyone tries to find out, just tell them! And allow them to follow."
A few days later, Lü Qiang selected several shrewd and capable eunuchs and recruited a large number of people to form a caravan of about five hundred people. They carried a large amount of silk, liquor and porcelain and set off for the Western Regions under the escort of a troop of imperial guards.
The sudden appearance of this caravan attracted the attention of many powerful families in the Luoyang area, who sent people to inquire about their background.
When it was learned that the caravan was organized under the jurisdiction of the Shaofu (Minister of the Imperial Household Department) and was heading to the Western Regions for trade, the news was like a boulder dropped into a calm lake, splashing up countless ripples.
It should be known that the Western Region goods brought back by the powerful families who returned from Liangzhou were extremely sought after by the wealthy families in Luoyang. Countless people made a fortune from them, which aroused the envy of many others.
Many people also considered organizing caravans to travel to the Western Regions, but due to the previous political chaos and the Qiang rebellion, the Han Dynasty was too preoccupied to attend to the Western Regions at this time.
With the presence of the Northern Xiongnu and the Lesser Yuezhi, the Silk Road was already cut off. If a caravan were to be sent rashly and something went wrong, they would likely lose everything. Therefore, they have not taken any action.
However, the fact that the Imperial Household Department has suddenly organized a caravan to the Western Regions suggests that the Emperor intends to reopen the Silk Road. Moreover, since the Imperial Household Department has dispatched a caravan, and with Duan Jiong in Liangzhou and Zhang Huan in Bingzhou, their safety should be guaranteed.
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