The Hall of Diligent Governance.
At this time, Emperor Yongzheng was discussing matters of the previous dynasty with his important minister, Ortai.
Speaking of which, Ortai was also one of Emperor Yongzheng's right-hand men, just like Zhang Tingyu. However, Zhang Tingyu was Han Chinese, while Ortai was Manchu.
When talking about Ortai, one cannot help but mention the "reform of local chieftains and the replacement of local officials with centrally appointed officials".
At that time, the biggest problem in the southwest region of the Qing Dynasty was the Tusi system and the Tusi problem.
The so-called Tusi system was a policy of "using barbarians to control barbarians," also known as the "tributary policy."
These chieftains were like local emperors within their own jurisdictions. Someone once described them as follows: "These barbarians do not cultivate the land, but live by robbery and murder, causing endless suffering to the border people. When there is no trouble, they are a threat to the heart of the country; when there is trouble, they communicate with foreign countries. From the Yuan to the Ming dynasties, they have been a scourge to the borders."
Because these Tusi (chieftain) issues were too complex, difficult, and energy-consuming to handle, although the Tusi problem in the southwest region had always been in the open, Emperor Kangxi did not spend a lot of time and energy specifically dealing with it.
However, Emperor Yongzheng, as a powerful figure who tackled tough challenges, had long disliked these local tyrants.
Therefore, when Ortai submitted a memorial to Emperor Yongzheng, volunteering to implement the "reform of native chieftains and replacement of officials" policy in the southwest region, Emperor Yongzheng showed his strong support with practical actions, providing troops and power as needed.
"Replacing the chieftains with appointed officials" means abolishing the chieftain system in various ethnic minority areas in the southwest and replacing it with a system of direct rule by officials appointed by Emperor Yongzheng, implementing the same administrative system as other places.
You can imagine how tough this task was, but Ortai did not betray Yongzheng's trust.
He then risked his life, and now the "reform of native chieftains and replacement of officials with centrally appointed officials" in the southwest region has been basically completed.
Today, Emperor Yongzheng discussed with Ortai the matter of appointing officials to central government posts and the continuation of the policy of converting local chieftains who have not yet been transferred to central government posts.
At this moment, Su Peisheng tiptoed in and said softly, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Physician Sun and Physician Wang, the heads of the Imperial Medical Academy, are already waiting in the side hall."
Upon hearing this, Yongzheng frowned slightly, then nodded and said, "I understand. You may leave now."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Su Peisheng then quietly withdrew.
Returning to a time of clear skies and bright moonlight.
The Empress instructed Eunuch Fu to escort the Imperial Physician Sun and Physician Wang, the heads of the Imperial Medical Academy, away.
By this time, the three of them had already reached the outside where the wind was gentle and the moon was bright.
The two imperial physicians, Dr. Sun and Dr. Wang, bowed to Eunuch Fu, indicating that he did not need to see him off any further.
This time, when they left Feng Qingyueming, they both looked unusually relaxed.
Then, Imperial Physician Sun and Imperial Physician Wang, the heads of the Imperial Medical Academy, continued walking with their heads down for a while.
Soon after, they both stopped at the same time, looked at each other, and noticed a hint of joy in each other's eyes.
Imperial Physician Wang couldn't help but lower his voice and say, "Old Sun, it seems we were overthinking things before. Now we can basically confirm that Her Majesty the Empress is indeed pregnant with the Emperor's child."
He then lowered his voice and said, "It seems we've saved our lives this time."
Sun, the head physician of the Imperial Medical Academy, suppressed the joy in his eyes and couldn't help but pour cold water on the situation, saying, "Old Wang, let's wait until Her Majesty the Empress has given birth safely before we talk about the head on top."
Physician Wang glanced at Physician Sun, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, sighed, and frowned, saying, "Alas, Old Sun, how could I not know?"
Looking at Physician Wang's expression, the head physician of the Imperial Medical Academy, Sun, thought it best not to discourage Physician Wang any further. After a moment of contemplation, he said in a low voice, "However, we don't need to be too pessimistic. Judging from the pulse, Her Majesty the Empress's pregnancy is currently stable. If nothing unexpected happens, Her Majesty the Empress will definitely be able to give birth safely."
Just after saying this, Imperial Physician Sun, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, seemed to remember something. He looked around before approaching Imperial Physician Wang and whispering in his ear, "Old Wang, think about it again. Didn't Consort Shu, Consort Yu, and Consort Ning, whom you were helping with their pregnancies, all give birth safely? Now, the rumors outside the palace aren't as malicious as before. They're even saying that the Emperor is blessed with great fortune and protects all the consorts, princesses, and princes."
Upon hearing this, Physician Wang nodded with a sigh of relief.
When the Imperial Physician Sun and Physician Wang arrived at the Hall of Diligent Governance, the eunuchs guarding the gate skillfully made arrangements. One eunuch led them to a side hall, while another eunuch went in to inform Eunuch Su Peisheng.
After waiting for a while in the side hall, the Imperial Physician Sun and Physician Wang, the heads of the Imperial Medical Academy, were ready.
"His Majesty has arrived."
Suddenly, the eunuch's announcement rang out.
Then Yongzheng strode into the side hall.
"Your Majesty, we are your humble servants." The Imperial Physician Sun and Physician Wang, the heads of the Imperial Medical Academy, hurriedly knelt down and bowed to Emperor Yongzheng.
Emperor Yongzheng waved his hand and said, "Physicians, there's no need for such formalities. Please rise."
"Yes, Your Majesty," said Imperial Physician Sun and Imperial Physician Wang, the two physicians of the Imperial Medical Academy, bowing respectfully.
After Yongzheng stepped into the main seat and sat down, he called out, "Su Peisheng, go out and stand guard outside."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Su Peisheng hurriedly bowed and replied.
Then, Su Peisheng quickly walked out of the side hall, gently closed the door, and stood guard outside.
At this moment, Yongzheng frowned and asked in a deep voice, "Imperial Physician Sun, Imperial Physician Wang, how is the Empress's health now?"
The head physician of the Imperial Medical Academy, Physician Sun, hurriedly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, this servant and Physician Wang have been checking Her Majesty the Empress's pulse every day for the past month, and now we can basically rule out the possibility that Her Majesty has been given a secret medicine."
At this moment, Imperial Physician Wang stepped forward with a solemn expression and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, based on all the Empress's medical records over the past few months, Imperial Physician Sun and I have confirmed that Her Majesty is currently about four months pregnant with the Emperor's child."
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty!" Then, the Imperial Physician Sun and Physician Wang, the heads of the Imperial Medical Academy, kowtowed in unison.
After hearing the words of the Imperial Physician Sun and Physician Wang, Emperor Yongzheng was somewhat lost in thought, but he quickly regained his composure.
His gaze deepened, and he asked, "How is the Empress's unborn child now?"
The kneeling Imperial Physician Sun, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, hurriedly and solemnly replied, "Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress's pregnancy is currently stable."
Emperor Yongzheng pondered for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "I entrust the Empress's unborn child to you, Physician Sun and Physician Wang."
His gaze darkened, and he continued in a deep voice, "If anything happens to Her Majesty the Empress, you two will have to come and face me with your heads."
"Yes, Your Majesty," replied Imperial Physician Sun and Imperial Physician Wang, both sweating profusely, as they kowtowed.
At this moment, Yongzheng's voice, which could not be discerned as joy or anger, rang out again: "You may all leave."
"Yes, Your Majesty, this servant takes his leave."
The Imperial Physician Sun and Physician Wang, the heads of the Imperial Medical Academy, kowtowed again in response.
Then, after they both stood up, they didn't dare to raise their heads and tiptoed away with bows.
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