Chapter 87 Two-Pronged Approach
Yuwen Che was engrossed in handling government affairs in the Sizheng Hall until the sun began to set.
He put down the vermilion brush, rubbed his temples, and said in a deep voice, "Li Dehai."
"This old servant is here."
"Has the head of the Imperial Medical Academy arrived?"
"Your Majesty, Chief Physician Zhang is already waiting outside the hall."
"Announce."
The white-haired and bearded Imperial Physician Zhang bowed as he entered, holding a thick stack of documents in his hands: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects. The medical records and classics that Your Majesty instructed me to organize yesterday have been preliminarily organized. Please review them."
Yuwen Che took the stack of papers and quickly flipped through them. They were densely packed with records of various cases and strategies for twin births, even including how to handle dangerous situations. His gaze lingered on words like "postpartum hemorrhage," "difficult labor," and "exhaustion" for a long time, his expression growing increasingly grim.
"Is that all?" He closed the document, his voice devoid of emotion.
Zhang Yuanzheng's heart tightened, and he bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, according to ancient records, this is generally the case. Twin births are indeed several times more dangerous than single births, especially for someone like the Empress... whose body is delicate and requires even more caution."
Yuwen Che was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Director Zhang, tell me the truth, will the Empress... be able to give birth safely?"
Imperial Physician Zhang knelt down with a thud, sweat beading on his forehead: "Your Majesty, your subjects... your subjects will certainly do everything in their power to protect Her Majesty's health! However... however, the will of Heaven is unpredictable. Even if Hua Tuo were alive today, he would not dare to say that the delivery would be foolproof..."
"I don't want to listen to such nonsense!" Yuwen Che's tone suddenly turned stern. "What I'm asking is, according to your Imperial Hospital's assessment, what are the chances of the Empress having a safe delivery?"
Zhang Yuanzheng prostrated himself on the ground, his voice trembling: "If...if everything goes smoothly, with careful recuperation and sufficient manpower and medicine prepared in advance, I believe...there is about a 70% chance of success."
“Seventy percent…” Yuwen Che repeated in a low voice, this number clearly did not reassure him. He stared sharply at the head of the academy: “I want one hundred percent.”
Without waiting for the chief physician's reply, he directly issued an order: "Listen, I don't care what methods you use. From today onwards, you will be personally responsible for all of the Empress's medical records and medications, and report to me daily. You are free to mobilize all resources of the Imperial Medical Academy."
"I obey the decree!"
"Furthermore," Yuwen Che continued, "you must immediately begin a secret search among the common people for midwives with genuine skills and experience, especially those who have delivered twins. Thoroughly screen them for me; their family backgrounds must be clean and without any suspicious circumstances. Once you find one, do not make a fuss. Two months in advance, quietly bring her to the palace to wait. I have my own arrangements."
Zhang Yuanzheng quickly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty! I will arrange for a reliable person to handle this as soon as I return."
“Remember,” Yuwen Che’s voice was icy and unquestionable, “if even the slightest word of this matter leaks out, or if any mishap occurs due to the midwife’s incompetence, I will hold you responsible.”
"Your Majesty, I understand! I will certainly not fail your trust!" Zhang Yuanzheng was covered in cold sweat and kowtowed repeatedly.
"Go ahead." Yuwen Che waved his hand.
Watching Zhang Yuanzheng stagger away, Yuwen Che stood with his hands behind his back in the hall, his eyes deep and unfathomable.
A 70% chance? That's far from enough.
He couldn't bear the consequences of losing Xue'er...
After Zhang Yuanzheng withdrew, Yuwen Che waved to the people standing in the hall: "All of you, step down."
"Yes." Li Dehai bowed and led all the palace servants out of the hall silently, gently closing the door behind them.
The Sizheng Hall was suddenly left with only Yuwen Che, the candlelight flickering and illuminating his cold profile.
"Come out," he whispered to the empty palace.
As soon as he finished speaking, a dark figure appeared silently before the imperial desk, as if merging into the darkness itself, kneeling on one knee with utmost respect: "Your Majesty."
It was none other than Han Ying, the head of the Shadow Pavilion.
Yuwen Che looked at him, said nothing, and directly ordered: "I cannot fully trust the people of the Imperial Medical Academy. Han Ying, you personally lead a group to handle two matters."
"Please give your orders, my lord."
“First,” Yuwen Che lowered his voice even further, “secretly investigate among the common people to find renowned doctors who have real skills, especially those skilled in childbirth, or those with the ability to bring the dead back to life. Remember, it must be done in secret, without alerting anyone.”
"yes."
"Secondly," Yuwen Che's eyes sharpened, "investigate whether those who claim to be divine healers in various places are merely empty shells. I need to know their true abilities, where they live, and their backgrounds. Do not disturb them; simply confirm their capabilities and record them."
Han Ying immediately understood Yuwen Che's deeper meaning: "My lord wants to... be prepared for any eventuality."
“Not bad.” Yuwen Che nodded, a deep melancholy settling between his brows. “The Empress’s childbirth cannot afford the slightest mishap. We must prepare the imperial physicians and midwives on the surface, and I must also prepare a backup plan on the ground. You should make this the top priority for the Shadow Pavilion, and report to me directly as soon as there is any news.”
"Understood, sir." Han Ying bowed his head and accepted the order, his voice flat and calm, yet filled with absolute loyalty and efficiency. "I will carry it out immediately."
"Go ahead." Yuwen Che waved his hand.
Han Ying's figure was like a ghost; with a slight sway, it disappeared into the shadows again, as if it had never existed.
Silence returned to the palace. Yuwen Che stood alone in front of the huge window, gazing at the deep night outside.
He must be fully prepared.
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