Seeing this, Lü Qiang nodded in agreement. Doctors are benevolent and do not discriminate based on the social status of their patients. No wonder the emperor values them. Their virtue alone is enough to earn their respect.
Since the gates of the mansion were wide open, Lü Qiang and his group went straight inside.
Among those who came seeking medical treatment were many knowledgeable individuals who naturally recognized the attire of the Imperial Guard and the eunuch Lü Qiang, and they all hurriedly made way for them as if trying to avoid them.
The Zhang residence, which had been somewhat noisy, suddenly fell silent.
At this moment, Zhang Bozu was sitting in the hall, his eyes slightly closed, focused on taking the patient's pulse, unaware of the commotion outside.
As Chen Ji was about to speak outside the main room, Lü Qiang stopped him, saying, "Don't disturb Dr. Zhang. Let's talk after he finishes seeing the patients!"
A moment later, Zhang Bozu slowly opened his eyes and then released the patient's wrist.
Zhang Bozu also noticed Lü Qiang and Chen Ji waiting outside the house, but he did not get up to greet them immediately. Instead, he picked up a pen, wrote a prescription, gave the patient a few instructions, and then stood up.
Upon arriving at the doorway, Zhang Bozu bowed to Lü Qiang and the others, and asked with some confusion, "Prefect Chen, may I ask what this is?"
Before Chen Ji could speak, Lü Qiang stepped forward and said with a smile, "Doctor Zhang's medical skills are superb and his medical ethics are noble. His Majesty was very pleased to hear this and specially ordered me to come and read the imperial edict."
Before everyone could recover, Lü Qiang took a scroll of imperial edict from the Imperial Guard and announced loudly:
"By order of the Emperor, Zhang Bozu receives the imperial edict!"
“Zhang Bozu, a commoner, is hereby ordered.”
Zhang Bozu then realized what was happening, and quickly responded, about to kneel down.
Lü Qiang quickly helped Zhang Bozu up and said, "His Majesty has said that Physician Bozu need not kneel!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Lü Qiang nodded, then unfolded the imperial edict and read it aloud:
"I have heard that the esteemed Elder of Nanyang possesses superb medical skills and a benevolent heart. He has dedicated himself to healing the sick and saving lives, serving as a model for the entire nation. Therefore, I hereby bestow upon him an imperial insignia, which allows him to be courteous to officials and not to bow before the emperor!"
"This humble subject thanks Your Majesty for Your Majesty's divine grace!"
With trembling hands, Zhang Bozu accepted the imperial edict and the imperial regalia. He thought about how he had been a doctor for over forty years, treating countless people, from high-ranking officials to impoverished commoners. Although he was respected by many, in the eyes of scholars, his profession was still considered lowly and not respectable.
It's no wonder that Zhang Bozu was so excited. His lifelong wish was to raise the status of physicians. Now that the emperor has issued an edict to reward them, it shows that the emperor values physicians. He might even live to see that day.
Lü Qiang seemed to understand why Zhang Bozu was so excited, and said with a smile: "His Majesty once said that people are the foundation of the country, and medicine is the foundation of people. In the past, due to the prejudice of certain doctrines, doctors who should have been respected were despised. Zhang Gong should stand up and take action to eliminate this prejudice."
"Your Majesty is wise. Zhang Bozu will never refuse any request Your Majesty may make!"
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