Chapter 43
The journey back to Beijing was much faster, two days earlier than expected.
Chu Huan was exhausted from the journey in the carriage, so she quickly took a hot bath to relieve her fatigue when she got home.
Afterwards, he was invited to the Imperial Medical Bureau by the imperial doctors who had been waiting outside for a long time.
It turned out that during the month they were away from the capital, the Imperial Hospital collected a large amount of fresh orange peels from various places while oranges were still in season, and recruited people to produce penicillin in batches.
Perhaps there was something wrong with the orange peels collected from a large area, and the penicillin produced was different from the previous ones.
They were unsure, not daring to use it nor to throw it away, so they left it there and waited for Chu Huan to come back and take a look.
Chu Huan didn't know what was going on with those different kinds of penicillin.
To be on the safe side, she suggested that the imperial doctors throw it away and use the familiar penicillin instead.
During this period, the imperial doctors also conducted many experiments.
It is particularly effective for wound infection, inflammation and pus formation, resulting in persistent high fever. However, not everyone will recover after using penicillin, and some people may experience allergic reactions, etc.
Chu Hua had already explained some things earlier, and now she emphasized them again: "Penicillin itself doesn't have a fever-reducing effect. It's an antibiotic, primarily for fighting bacteria and infections."
"Those who had persistent high fevers and used penicillin to reduce their fevers must have inflammation in their bodies. Once the inflammation subsides, the fever will go away. This medication is not suitable for all patients with high fevers. You should use it with caution."
There was no concept of bacteria in Dasheng. Chu Huan did not have sufficient medical knowledge, so it was difficult to fully popularize this. However, it was still possible to mention it briefly so that the imperial doctors could understand it.
I don’t know what the bacteria are specifically, but what about wound infection and fever?
Whether it is a large wound or a small but deep wound, it is easy to cause infection due to inadequate cleaning and disinfection.
Taking this opportunity, Chu Hua once again recommended medical alcohol.
Since we have our own tavern and a dedicated brewer, it is not difficult to mix medical alcohol of the appropriate concentration.
It is easy to modulate in small quantities, but it is very difficult to use it on a large scale, especially to widely use it in treating diseases and saving lives on the battlefield.
Wine is brewed from grain. The grain produced in Dasheng is not enough for the people to eat themselves, and it has to be stored for use in case of war or disaster relief. Who would dare to brew, purify and disinfect wine in warehouses?
If alcohol is produced, it may be able to save a few people, but if there is not enough food, countless people will die.
Many things can only be taken into consideration after the most basic food and clothing are solved.
Chu Huan knew that this was a long and arduous task, so she simply told the imperial physicians that medical alcohol could be used and how to use it, without saying anything else.
She can call men scum, criticize corrupt officials, and instigate girls to cause trouble, but there are some things that it is better not to get involved in when she does not have much power and prestige.
The imperial physicians were also quite conscious and did not ask about the "large-scale use of medical alcohol".
They didn't say anything, so Jia Yi and Cai Gang, who always followed Chu Huan, reported the matter to their superiors.
After reading it, the emperor sat on the dragon throne for a cup of tea, repeatedly thinking about the pros and cons of the matter, and then suppressed the news. He only sent Chen Jiu to the Imperial Hospital to convey the order: increase the number of people and speed up the process.
With the emperor's order, the Imperial Medical Bureau dared not neglect its responsibilities.
It was a cold autumn day, and many of the death row prisoners in the Zhenfu Prison and beggars on the streets of the capital were injured and infected due to torture, cold weather, lack of food and clothing.
The former are mostly people who have committed heinous crimes and are awaiting execution, and can be brought here directly for punishment.
The latter had no means to see a doctor and could only rely on himself. Someone from the Imperial Hospital provided free medical treatment, medicine and food, and he was so happy that he cooperated very well.
Half a month later, some thick pulse records and experimental reports were presented on the dragon table.
After reading it, the emperor immediately summoned his trusted ministers to a meeting.
The topic this time is: Penicillin and medical alcohol.
The former requires a large amount of fresh orange peels to cultivate penicillin, and the latter requires a large amount of grain to brew alcohol, in addition to the high cost of storage and transportation.
If we ignore the money spent in the research and production process and only look at the final result, it is quite gratifying.
It clearly records how many people were saved by penicillin. Some had their palms pierced through, while others had their legs broken by wood and fell into a coma due to high fever, requiring amputation to save their lives.
Many diseases that were previously incurable or could only be left to fate can now be successfully treated with penicillin.
The effect will be better if the doctor's hands, cloth, and tools are disinfected with medical alcohol, and the patient's wounds are disinfected before treatment.
The reports submitted by the Imperial Medical Service were mostly good news. As for those who died in the process, most of them were due to inappropriate medication, which was also good news. At least next time they would know that these diseases could not be treated with penicillin and had to be treated with other drugs, thus saving treatment time.
"Penicillin and medical alcohol both have to be packaged in glass made by Chu Hua's glass factory?" The old master frowned. "If I remember correctly, her glass is sold in small quantities and isn't cheap."
The Imperial Medical Officer first explained something that was easy to understand: "Medical alcohol is volatile, just like liquor. If you don't seal it tightly in a container and leave it there, it will slowly degrade until only water remains."
Many officials present loved wine, especially good wine that had been stored in cellars for many years, and they knew the reason.
The wine must be sealed in jars with yellow mud. If the seal is not good, and it is opened after being stored for many years, it is hard to say how much will be left.
"The vessels normally used to hold wine are either unusable or not as portable as glass bottles." The Imperial Medical Officer knew what he was facing when he submitted his report. He opened his medicine box and pulled out a bottle of medical alcohol. "Please see, my Lords."
Everyone stepped forward, lifted it, held it in their hands, tried to pour it out, and found that the bottle was of the right size and weight, and was indeed easier to carry than a wine jar.
Glass bottles are transparent and you can clearly see how much is inside, but this is not the case with wine jars.
Someone curiously opened the bottle and took a sip, then choked: "Cough, cough, cough."
The Imperial Hospital official advised, "Medical alcohol is too strong. It's choking if you smell it, and dangerous if you drink it. Please don't drink too much."
Huh? It would have been fine if he hadn't said anything, but once he did, the drunkard started wanting to drink.
Someone quietly touched the teacup, wanting to try what the alcohol tasted like.
The Imperial Hospital was anxious: "My Lords, please listen to my advice. Lord Chu has repeatedly stressed that you cannot drink. Drinking will cause sore throat, hoarseness, burning in the stomach, nausea and vomiting, and may even lead to alcohol poisoning!"
The serious consequences of drinking are clearly stated. No matter how much alcoholics drink, they will not completely risk their lives for a momentary pleasure.
It’s just…someone whispered, “Is it okay to have a sip?”
Imperial Hospital Director: “…”
He didn't expect that after persuading everyone to this extent, there were still people who wanted to give it a try. He felt that all his earnest advice was in vain.
"Okay, let's give it a try." He simply stopped persuading her and acted like "you guys treat me, please feel free to do as you please."
Now, no one dared to try.
The Imperial Physician sneered: Ha, can’t I cure your rebellious nature?
Seeing that they didn't dare to move, he said the remaining, less understood point: "Penicillin needs to be refrigerated and stored at low temperatures. It's easier to observe and use it in a glass bottle."
In short: glass bottles are either essential or more convenient.
But someone raised the question: "So, doesn't that mean the court is going to do business with Chu Huan?"
The Minister of Revenue had already considered Chu Huan one of his own and was the first to speak up for her: "So what?"
"Cowpox, penicillin, quinine, which one wasn't given away by her for free? Which one did she not cooperate with the court in researching? Which one did she claim credit for?"
"There were so many treasures in Princess Anle's tomb. They were originally ownerless. If Chu Huan had secretly gone there, they would all have been hers. But she didn't take a penny, without any selfish motives. She gave them all to the Dasheng treasury and the emperor's private treasury."
"Even the intelligence it provided, which required countless money and manpower to gather, was easily obtained without the court having to pay a penny. This was already enough to take advantage of her!"
The stingy old man, the Minister of Revenue, was so angry that his beard trembled, and his eyes and face were full of anger: She has given so much, what else do you want?!
“…” The entire imperial study fell into silence.
Many officials ask themselves: If it were me, could I do it?
It is highly unlikely. Everyone has selfish desires and cannot be so indifferent to money and power.
At this time, the Minister of Works stepped forward to remind his colleagues: "My Lords, please do not forget that Miaoshou Kongkong is about to come out of retirement to visit the national treasury."
Without Chu Huan and the system's sarcastic reminders, the Ministry of Revenue would never give money so generously, and the Ministry of Works would not grit its teeth, hold back its anger, and work day and night to renovate the treasury organs as if its butt was on fire, just to teach Miaoshou Kongkong a lesson.
The Minister of Justice followed closely behind him: "She investigated corrupt officials and murderers."
The Dali Temple Minister was unwilling to be outdone: "The Min family is a large family with deep roots since the previous dynasty. If it hadn't uncovered such a scandal about the Min family, we wouldn't be able to do anything to them."
But everyone with eyes saw what happened to the Min family.
A family that has gone through three dynasties, each one stronger than the previous one, has too deep a foundation and connections. How can the court take action without a legitimate reason?
The clues provided by the system range from Min Yuan, who was responsible for twelve deaths, to the list of people killed by the previous head of the family, including the cause, place and time of death.
In addition, the Jinyiwei investigated and collected evidence, and the confessions obtained from Min Yuan and his father were irrefutable with both witnesses and evidence.
The Min family's reputation was ruined and their credibility collapsed. If they wanted to save their last bit of dignity, they had no choice but to take drastic measures - hand over most of their wealth.
In this way, the national treasury received another large sum of money.
The treasury is well-funded, so civil officials don't have to worry about being tied down due to lack of money. Military generals have enough confidence to fight a protracted war with the Western Rong. Who wouldn't feel grateful for Chu Huan's kindness?
Seeing this, the emperor sitting on the high throne felt a little proud.
Considering Chu Huan's contribution to the national treasury and his private treasury, not to mention a few third-rank officials protecting him, he himself would have to find ways to protect him.
Didn’t you see that he even gave away the emperor’s personal secret guards and hasn’t taken them back yet?
It would have been great if this girl was his daughter, but he gave her to Chu Ping, that unmotivated guy!
I can’t think about it, I’ll get angry if I think about it! The emperor clenched his fists.
Seeing that the officials present no longer objected, the old tutor said, "Penicillin and alcohol are both necessary and irreplaceable. If you are worried that using glass bottles will make Chu Hua rich..."
All the officials looked at the old tutor expectantly.
This old tutor is not partial to Chu Huan just because he wants to take her as his student. He can definitely give some crucial advice!
"Then just make her one of our own." The old tutor had a look of "as smart as I am" on his face, and he didn't think there was anything wrong with this suggestion at all.
If you can't beat them, join them. If you can't get rich, join them. What's the problem? Of course not!
Officials: "..."
They suspected that this person and the old master were colluding behind the scenes to manipulate them.
One of our own? Prince Zong Ling Fushuo couldn't help but look at the emperor: "Your Majesty wants to..." take Chu Huan into the harem?
The emperor's face changed drastically: "I don't have it, I don't want it, don't talk nonsense!"
He doesn't want to become a person without any privacy!
He was so anxious that he barely had time to breathe. It seemed like he really didn't want to do it.
Prince Fushuo confirmed, "Which prince do you want to marry?"
As long as she doesn't enter his harem, the emperor doesn't care.
What are sons born for? To be sold, of course!
"Boss..."
The eldest prince's fathers-in-law were terrified, their eyes filled with strong pleading: "Your Majesty, please have mercy!" They didn't want to hear about the eldest prince's bedroom affairs and cuckoldry every day!
"You've been stationed at the border for years, and you're full of blood and murderous energy. Don't scare her." The emperor shook his head. "Second brother..."
The eldest prince's father-in-law had just been relieved, and now it was the turn of the second prince's father-in-law to worry.
Their daughter and the second prince are not actually husband and wife, so they don't have any privacy concerns in that regard. They are just afraid that their daughter will be led astray by Chu Huan!
Influenced by that girl, all the girls went to the Ministry of Revenue to reconcile accounts. If one day someone said they wanted to get a position in the Ministry of Revenue, would they give it to him or not?
What if they went to the Ministry of Revenue and then to the Ministry of Justice to investigate the case? They would definitely be accused of forming a clique for personal gain!
On the contrary, the second prince himself did not react at all.
Chu Huan now felt like she was back home when she entered his mansion. Everyone from the Second Prince's wife to the maids who cleaned the house remembered that she loved eating bird's nests and hated coriander. They would research new dishes from time to time and wanted to invite her back for dinner, chat and melon.
It’s already like this, what difference does it make whether I enter his backyard or not?
The second prince saw through it clearly: I am just a complete tool.
The emperor shook his head even faster. "If she marries him, the second son's backyard will become hers. How can that be? No way."
Second Prince: “…”
The second prince's father-in-laws: "..."
It's really heartbreaking.
The emperor skipped over the third prince and said, "The fourth prince..."
The fourth prince is fifteen years old this year, and his princess consort has already been chosen in advance. She is the youngest daughter of the General of the Cavalry.
The cavalry general's face was filled with horror: Your Majesty, please spare my life!
He really didn't want to hear every day about his daughter following Chu Huan to brothels, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Justice, what young prostitutes she met, and how many corrupt officials and criminals she investigated. He was old and had a bad heart!
The emperor originally thought that the age difference between the fifteen and thirteen was not too big, so they were quite suitable. But when he saw the frightened face of the General of Cavalry, he thought it better to forget it.
Given Chu Huan's contributions to him and Dasheng, it was inevitable that she would become the principal wife.
The imperial decree granting the marriage has already been issued and it is impossible to revoke the order. It would be too unfair for Chu Huan to be a concubine.
"Let's choose the fifth child. She is only nine years old, has no marriage contract, and is not settled. Shouldn't she be raised? Let her be raised by herself." The emperor thought this idea was good the more he spoke.
All the officials' eyes were popping out.
Your Majesty, are you not worried at all that the fifth prince will be raised astray?
The glass incident ended with "leaving the fifth prince to Chu Huan as a child husband", which was unexpected by everyone.
Without waiting for them to calm down, the emperor brought up the next topic: "Chu Qin is back."
"So fast?" the Minister of Justice blurted out.
All of Chu Huan's current contributions to the court are based on her being "Chu Qin". Once the real Chu Qin comes back, she will have to go home and be Miss Chu.
The Minister of Revenue seemed to have seen a scene in the future where money would only go out of the treasury and not come in, and his face turned pale with fear.
The Minister of Justice and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, who had recently been competing with the Ministry of Revenue but failed to win, felt a dark sensation before their eyes.
They also hope that Chu Huan and the system will catch more criminals after going to the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple!
How come Chu Qin came back so quickly? !
Counting the days, it’s been almost three months.
The water route from Beijing to Jiangnan is faster, but it still takes more than a month. Chu Qin finished the investigation in just one month after arriving in Jiangnan? That's pretty fast.
This was the trump card the emperor had prepared in advance: the officials might not be able to accept Chu Huan attending court as a female official, but they could not accept Chu Huan not attending court even more.
Unexpectedly, those who opposed were suppressed by several ministers, and he didn't even have a chance to take it out.
The emperor secretly felt sorry but did not show it on his face.
"Chu Qin is on her way back. While she's still here, if you have anything you want her to help you with, just tell her."
Officials: ???
Officials:!!!
Everyone looked at each other, unable to believe what they heard: "The Emperor means that the brothers and sisters should return to their respective places?"
The emperor was calm and composed. "Chu Huan's attendance at court on her brother's behalf was originally a temporary solution. Now that Chu Qin is back, she naturally has to go back."
The Minister of Revenue was anxious: "Your Majesty, the accounts have not been checked yet!" The corrupt officials have not been investigated yet! The treasury is not full enough!
The Emperor: "She has trained many people. Let's investigate slowly."
The Minister of Revenue choked. Was it people and time he lacked? What he lacked was Chu Huan and the system!
The Minister of Justice was not panicked at first because he knew that Chu Huan was of the greatest benefit to Dasheng in the court, and the emperor was even more aware of this.
But judging from the emperor's performance, he doesn't seem to be in a hurry at all, and seems to be well prepared?
Yes, the emperor gave the fifth prince away!
The Minister of Justice was startled and looked at the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and found that the other party had also reacted.
So the royal family can enjoy the benefits of the system, but you don’t care about the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple?
Believe it or not, let’s make a fuss!
The Minister of Justice stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Justice is short of personnel. I have applied for Chu Qin six times."
The Dali Temple Minister followed closely behind him: "Your Majesty, the Dali Temple is even more short of staff. I have already submitted seven memorials. Please allow Chu Qin to come to the Dali Temple first."
The Minister of Justice quickly pulled out the memorial hidden in his sleeve and said, "This is the seventh time."
The Dali Temple Minister pulled out two memorials from his sleeve and said, "This is the ninth time."
The Minister of Justice nearly fainted: "Have some shame! How can you submit two identical memorials at once?"
The Dali Temple Minister sneered: "It means my business is more urgent."
"Bullshit!" The Minister of Justice was irritated.
The Dali Temple official retorted: "Why don't you try not farting for the rest of your life?"
The Minister of Justice's face turned green. Vulgar! Intolerable!
The emperor and his officials were a little excited while watching the show: How about you two have a fight, and whoever wins will get Chu Huan's place?
When the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Justice were about to quarrel in the Imperial Study, the Minister of Works suddenly rushed out and said, "No, my matter is the most urgent!"
He said in a mournful tone, as if his father had died: "Your Majesty! Miaoshou Kongkong is coming to the treasury!"
"What does it matter how rich the Ministry of Revenue is? What does it matter how many criminals the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple investigate? Once Miaoshoukong arrives, all your dignity will be gone!"
“Your Majesty!!!”
The Minister of Justice and the Supreme Court Justice were unwilling to give in: "Your Majesty!!!"
Emperor: "..." Stop shouting, your ears hurt.
At the same time, the system was vividly relaying to Chu Huan what was happening in the imperial study.
Its tone and vocabulary are much richer, and it is no longer as dry as when it broadcast the story of the queen and the substitute concubine to Chu Huan. It is very interesting.
Chu Huan was amused by it and laughed repeatedly: [Guess where I will end up? ]
The system didn't hesitate: [Ministry of Industry.]
Chu Hua: [Why?]
System: [The Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court must be asking you to investigate some particularly difficult old cases. How can it be as urgent as coming to the national treasury with nothing?]
Chu Huan was quite surprised: [Tong'er, you have improved.]
[Hehe...] The system smiled shyly, [By the way, the emperor wants to give the fifth prince to you as a child husband, what are you going to do?]
Chu Hua: [Is he good-looking?]
System: [His mother is the most beautiful in the harem, and he is also the most beautiful among the princes, a natural beauty.]
Chu Huan said decisively: [Raise it! You must raise it!]
System: [Just a little bit sinister. ]
Chu Huan's smile slowly disappeared, and she didn't know whether the emperor would accept the return?
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