Inside the Chongzheng Hall, after discussing road administration and various disaster prevention measures with his officials, Liu Hong established a new Water Conservancy Department, which was responsible for water conservancy construction in various regions, while simultaneously setting up the Road Administration Department.
At the same time, Liu Hong and his officials also began to focus their attention on preventing the plague.
Hu Guang stepped forward first and said respectfully:
"Your Majesty, the prevention and treatment of the plague certainly cannot be separated from physicians."
I believe that the scale of medical schools should be expanded again to cultivate more medical talents. Depending on the population of each county, the scale should be at least three medical clinics per county!
Furthermore, each clinic must be staffed with at least three physicians specializing in various medical fields!
"How many people would we need?"
"Yes, now our Great Han should have more than 1,300 counties. According to this, at least 5,000 medical clinics should be built, and there should be at least 20,000 doctors!"
"But how easy is it to train a doctor? And how many people are willing to study medicine?"
Upon hearing Hu Guang's suggestion, the officials couldn't help but discuss it amongst themselves. Although they didn't oppose the development of medical care, they were clearly not optimistic about it.
"My lords, medical care is a matter of great importance. Only when medical care is widespread can we ensure the health of the people and allow them more time and energy to engage in production."
Moreover, it can greatly reduce infant mortality and ensure population growth.
It plays an extremely important role in the country's development and stability.
A larger population not only increases the labor force, but also increases various forms of consumption, military personnel, and tax revenue.
I'm sure you all understand the many benefits involved!
Liu Hong looked solemnly at the officials in the hall and explained in detail the importance of medical care.
Cao Song quickly chimed in, "Your Majesty is right. Besides food, medical care is the key to ensuring the population's survival, so medical care must be vigorously developed!"
Moreover, the clinics are very profitable, and they can also increase the imperial court's revenue!
"We second that proposal!!"
After hearing the emperor's words, the officials understood that medical matters were indeed closely related to their own interests.
Besides, with the advancement of medicine, they can live healthier lives, right?
"Very well, since everyone agrees, the matter of establishing medical clinics in various regions will be jointly handled by the Royal Trading Company and the Medical Academy!"
"Your Majesty is wise!!"
Upon seeing that the emperor had linked the medical clinic with the royal trading company, the officials immediately showed a hint of joy on their faces.
Every additional source of income for the Royal Merchant Guild means more money for them in the future.
Then Liu Hong looked at the officials with a serious expression and said in a deep voice:
"Gentlemen, don't be too happy yet. A clinic naturally needs to make a profit, but it can't be too expensive. Otherwise, if people can't afford medical treatment and just stay at home to die, how can we talk about making a profit?"
"Your Majesty is right. If an illness can deplete a person's wealth, it will not only prevent them from making other purchases, but it will also cause people to neglect medical treatment when they are sick, thus weakening their health and reducing their ability to work!"
"Indeed, this puts the cart before the horse!"
"Absolutely! All the money has been spent on healthcare, which has severely hampered economic and commercial development!"
Officials unanimously agreed that the high cost of medical care is indeed a problem that needs attention.
After all, only when people are in good health can they create more value and bring more benefits.
Subsequently, the officials began to discuss and regulate medical costs and various prices.
In short, medical prices should not be too high or too low; we need to strive to maintain a balance.
For example, some common minor illnesses used to cost around a thousand coins to treat, which many people couldn't afford. As a result, minor illnesses would develop into serious ones, leading to prolonged inability to work or even death.
However, the cost of treatment is only about one hundred coins. If the price of treatment is reduced to three hundred coins, the number of patients that could afford treatment, which was originally only available to one person, will increase to ten.
Comparing the two, the medical benefits will increase from nine hundred coins to two thousand coins, which is a win-win situation.
The only problem is that the scale of medical development can only be achieved when there are more doctors and medical technology improves.
So the officials then began to discuss supporting the development of medical technology, and that the treatment and social status of doctors must be raised.
Watching the officials in the hall enthusiastically discussing various situations and problems.
Liu Hong, sitting on the throne, felt both happy and somewhat sad.
The good news is that the officials were discussing things that would benefit the people.
The sad thing is that most of the officials only care about these things because of their own interests.
Its purpose is to ensure that the population and labor force can better serve capital.
After all, where there are people, there are classes; where there are classes, there is oppression.
In this era, no matter what you do, utopia is never going to be realized.
Moreover, the Pareto principle (80/20 rule) is inescapable in any era.
Furthermore, without comparison, there is no harm. The oppression of capital will at least ensure that the labor force can survive, or even make the labor force live better.
It's much better than those "entrepreneurs" who are only interested in exploiting their employees and wish you could spend 18 hours a day on the assembly line.
After much deliberation among the officials, the imperial court and the Imperial Household Department decided to increase the research funding for the medical school by 500 million coins to improve the level of medical care.
At the same time, medical school graduates were incorporated into the civil service system, enjoying government salaries, and various benefits for promoting medical development were established.
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