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A ship slowly approached the dock. Just as the gangway was set up, a white-haired old man stumbled down and lay on the ground vomiting violently.
Seeing this, the captain came down and patted his back and handed him water. After finally waiting for him to calm down, he asked, "Doctor Zhang, are you okay? Go and rest quickly, eat an orange, and get some sleep. You'll be fine."
When Zhang Jimin heard the word "sour", he felt his stomach churning again and quickly shook his head and waved his hands.
He really didn't expect that the ship would be so bumpy. If he had known that, he would never have come to this broken island!
But since he was already here, there was no point in dwelling on it. Zhang Jimin, supported by someone, stumbled into the village. Without even looking around, he went inside and fell headfirst onto the bed.
When he woke up, it was already early the next morning. Breakfast was already prepared: a plate of pickles, a bowl of white porridge, and a cup of mint tea.
After vomiting for two days, Zhang Jimin was already very hungry. Suddenly, seeing such delicious food, his appetite was whetted and he ate it all in one breath.
After he finished drinking the cool and refreshing mint tea, he breathed a sigh of relief and felt that he was finally alive.
"Doctor Zhang, the boss wants you to come over." The boy serving on the side saw that he had recovered his spirit and hurriedly said.
Zhang Jimin then remembered what he was doing here. He quickly washed up, changed into new clothes, and then followed the guide to the lobby.
As soon as I entered the room, I saw a handsome young man smiling and saying, "Did you sleep well last night, Doctor Zhang?"
Zhang Jimin was stunned and didn't react for a moment.
Is this a boy or a girl? Why is he sitting in the main seat?
Seeing him in a daze, Cheng Xi introduced himself: "I am the leader of the Red Flag Gang, my last name is Cheng Xi."
Zhang Jimin finally reacted with a start and quickly saluted: "I am Zhang Jimin, meeting the leader of the Chengqu Gang."
"Doctor Zhang, please don't be so formal. Please sit down and have some tea first." After asking him to sit down, Cheng Xi looked at the old man.
She had already heard about Doctor Zhang's background. He was quite famous in Dongning County, specializing in decoctions, acupuncture, and even assisted women in labor.
As long as nothing happens to a doctor like this, he will most likely be able to enjoy his old age in peace. However, he has no children, and the apprentice he raised is a troublemaker. He offended a local squire and was almost beaten to death.
Li Niu got the news and sent people to their village to recruit people. The boy heard about the power of the Red Flag Gang and begged to join the gang. After he mastered martial arts, he went to seek revenge on the squire. Zhang Jimin was unable to stop him.
Because he loved his disciple so much, Zhang Jimin finally gritted his teeth and secretly discussed a solution with Li Niu.
As long as he didn't let the boy get on board to learn martial arts, he could come to the island to treat people for three years, with a salary of thirty taels a year. When the time was up, he would take the unworthy disciple and flee far away.
In this way, he could avoid the gentry's continued pursuit of revenge, and also let that kid know that the gangs were not easy to deal with, so that he would calm down and continue to practice medicine with him.
Such painstaking efforts are really touching, but Cheng Xi is very satisfied with Li Niu's methods. It is not so easy to invite a general practitioner to the island for consultation.
If we give him a little more time, I guess all the teachers will be lured here.
Zhang Jimin finally regained consciousness after he sat down. Since he was the leader of a gang, and dressed in men's clothing, he must be a teenager.
When a child is fourteen or fifteen years old and has not yet changed his voice, his throat is flat and his voice is slightly thin. If he grows up a little better, it is indeed difficult to tell whether he is a male or a female, which is not uncommon.
After regaining his composure, he immediately straightened his stance. Despite his youth and his smiling face, he was truly ruthless. He could even wipe out the bandits occupying Luoling Island. Was he someone to be underestimated? Although a healer, he was used to traveling extensively, making him quite adaptable.
Seeing the old man's obedient look, Cheng Xi smiled slightly: "The Red Flag Gang is a boat gang, so fighting is inevitable. We asked Doctor Zhang to come here to treat the gang members. If there is any medicine you need, just let me know."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jimin immediately coughed and said, "Since you're here, I'll do my best. However, my medical skills are limited, so I may not be able to treat some injuries. Please forgive me, Gang Leader."
Although he was a little scared, he had to say it first. If he couldn't cure the patient and was blamed, he wouldn't be able to bear it.
Cheng Xi said, "Doctor Zhang, don't worry. My family has passed down some battlefield treatment methods, which I can teach you. If someone is seriously injured and difficult to treat in the future, you won't be blamed."
Zhang Jimin was shocked by this. What was going on? He wanted to teach him medical skills? And the family-inherited treatment methods? How could such a good thing happen in the world? Giving money for help and also teaching secret methods? Was there some trickery going on?
Zhang Jimin suddenly became nervous, twisted his body, and said carefully: "I'm afraid this is not appropriate..."
As if he had guessed what he was thinking, the young man smiled and said, "Of course, this isn't free. Doctor Zhang needs to promise me one thing."
Hearing this, Zhang Jimin hurriedly asked, "May I ask what's going on?"
"There are some girls in the camp who want to learn medicine. If Doctor Zhang is willing to teach them, I will definitely teach them everything I know." Cheng Xi said seriously.
Zhang Jimin was once again stunned by this. What kind of a request was this? When had he ever taught his medical skills to women? How could those peasant women or fishermen possibly learn it?
After a long pause, Zhang Jimin reluctantly said, "How could the leader have such an idea? This, this is too unreasonable..."
"Principles are set by people. There is a severe shortage of manpower on the island now. If a big war breaks out, I don't know how many people will be injured. I thought about it for a long time before coming up with this idea. Those women take care of the wounded during wartime and look after women and children on weekdays. They don't need to learn too much. They just need to know some formulas and learn some basic skills." Cheng Xi explained.
This sounds much more normal. If it were a wealthy family, the people who would take care of the injured would most likely be maids, so it would definitely be better if they knew some medical knowledge.
Besides, he could be careless when teaching a girl, but he would not dare to teach an apprentice. He would be leaving in three years. If he taught all his skills to others, wouldn't he lose his job?
However, even thinking this way, he still felt a little unwilling: "It's not that I'm stingy, it's just that I have some family knowledge that I can't show to others."
Hearing him say this, Cheng Xi knew that he was already interested, and smiled and said: "My family has a kind of medicinal wine that can treat external injuries, reduce swelling and pus. It is very effective. I will make a batch in the future. If Doctor Zhang can agree, I would like to give this recipe to you."
Now Zhang Jimin was really tempted. Judging from the young man's tone, someone in his family must have joined the army, and the family recipe must be extremely effective.
The means of treating the wounded were no longer available after he left, but the medicinal wine could always be kept on hand.
Traumatic suppuration is the most troublesome problem. If you get a good cure, you can settle down and make a living.
Thinking of this, Zhang Jimin did not refuse and sighed: "Since the gang leader is so kind, I will do my best."
Cheng Xi immediately smiled and said, "Then I'll leave it to Doctor Zhang."
…
"How did you get hurt again? Look at the bruises..." Pulling Lin Mo's arm, He Ling felt heartbroken and helpless. Ever since she started practicing martial arts with the young master, she had never been in good health. She either had her hands and feet bruised or bruised by falls. It was painful to look at.
Lin Mo retracted his hand but didn't take it back. He could only say, "It's always like this when practicing martial arts. My brother did the same thing in the past."
"That's your brother..."
He Ling wanted to say something, but Lin Mo added, "Young Master is the same."
He Ling was speechless immediately. He looked at the injury for a long time before letting go of her arm: "Young Master, it's time for you to take a rest."
The young master has been very busy recently. He has a lot of things to do every day when he opens his eyes. He also squeezes out time to teach them reading and counting, and practice martial arts to keep fit.
That’s not all. He also didn’t skip training and often went out to run several miles early in the morning. She was almost worried to death.
Lin Mo shook his head: "Master, you know what's going on. Let's just focus on the things at hand."
Hearing this, He Ling couldn't help but sigh: "Some people in the women's camp are feeling uneasy now. I heard that people are starting to build houses and reclaim wasteland outside, and those with families are waiting to move out to farm. They can only feel stable when they are working. I don't know when the 'hospital' that the young master mentioned will be ready..."
"It will be ready soon." A voice interrupted their conversation and Cheng Xi strode in.
He Ling immediately stood up and said happily, "Young Master is back! Are we really going to build the hospital?"
"That's right. Go and ask how many people want to study medicine. I will teach you how to take care of the wounded. Of course, Doctor Zhang will still teach you medical principles openly. Remember, all the selected people will get money, but they must be brave and careful, able to see blood, and have some strength." Cheng Xi said.
These words made He Ling a little stunned: "If it is the master who is teaching, why does he still use the title of doctor?"
Cheng Xi laughed: "Those who are injured, do they want me to treat them or the doctors to treat them?"
He Ling opened her mouth, but was speechless for a moment.
No matter how much she admired Cheng Xi, she knew that she had to choose a good doctor when she was sick.
Cheng Xi said directly: "The teachings of a proper doctor are definitely different from those of a half-baked doctor, and it will give the injured person more peace of mind. But don't treat Doctor Zhang as a mere decoration. Listen more, watch more, and ask for his advice. He promised me that he would teach you."
The first aid methods she knows are all standard Western medical procedures, which may be different from the thinking of many people today.
It’s a good opportunity to take advantage of teaching Zhang Jimin to integrate these things with traditional Chinese medicine. This cover is still necessary.
In terms of healing wounds, setting bones, and removing toxins, Chinese medicine also has a tradition and experience that can be put to good use.
However, Zhang Jimin alone is definitely not enough, and more doctors need to join the research.
Anyway, she is ready to start trial production when the time is right. It would be even better if she can find treasures like Baiyao and Cinchona.
Of course, these all require long-term planning, and the most crucial task now is to cultivate a group of "angels in white." From ancient times to the present, women have been considered "expendable" on the battlefield. It was not until the emergence of Florence Nightingale that people's perceptions were completely changed.
For the injured, timely treatment and a clean environment are of course important, but psychological comfort is also essential.
Not to mention how much impact the presence or absence of nurses will have on the survival rate of the wounded, when these soldiers truly understand that women can also save lives and heal the wounded, then women will no longer be "objects" in their hearts, but living people worthy of protection.
This is extremely important for changing the concept on the island.
He Ling nodded vigorously. "There are already twelve people learning math from me, and three more learning martial arts from A'mo. If there's money to be made, there will definitely be a lot of people willing to join!"
Cheng Xi smiled and touched her head.
He Ling's eyes almost narrowed, but she came to her senses in an instant and said quickly, "Oh, right, some women in the camp want to get married. Some people heard that there's land reclamation outside, and they're all confused. What should we do?"
Cheng Xi was not worried. "I've already said that the women's camp will be turned into a hospital in the future, with only a small number of women staying there permanently. The rest can get married or farm, whatever they want. When there are more people, we will open workshops in the village and let the women weave, tailor, and even do some embroidery, and they will all be paid separately. You have to tell the women in the camp that whether it's literacy or weaving, you should learn as much as you can. Only those who can make money can stand tall and proud."
Even in ancient times, the status of women in Jiangnan was higher than in other places. It was precisely because of the developed textile industry that women could make money and even become the economic pillars of their families.
When housework is not recognized, having a skill and the courage to go out of the house are extremely important. She doesn't want all the women on the island to stay indoors.
To achieve this goal, the key is to increase jobs, improve economic status and improve the childcare system.
He Ling didn't quite understand the reason, but she knew that if a woman became powerful, she could also make men bow down to her like the young master!
Therefore, no matter what the young master said, she would complete it seriously and do her best to share his worries!
"Why do you want to study medicine? How can a woman study medicine?"
There are already sixty or seventy people in the female camp now. As soon as He Ling opened her mouth, there was a buzz from below.
This is really too unbelievable. Can they learn how to cure diseases and save lives?
He Ling explained, "It's not that complicated. The main thing is to learn how to take care of the wounded, just like any other servant. You just have to be braver, stronger, and willing to see blood. Of course, the gang leader has also hired a doctor, and he will teach you medical knowledge. This is a rare opportunity!"
Hearing her say this, suspicions grew even stronger. One of the maids asked curiously, "If someone is injured, shouldn't family members take care of them? Why do they need to send someone specifically to take care of them?"
"Our Red Flag Gang is a boat gang. There will inevitably be wars in the future. I don't know how many people will be injured in each battle. Not everyone has a family. Besides, even if you have a wife, children, and parents, taking care of the wounded is tiring and difficult, and you may not be able to take good care of them. Why not find someone to do it for you?" He Ling had thought these things through thoroughly a long time ago, and he could explain them in a coherent way.
This statement immediately caused many people to nod their heads repeatedly. That's right, if a family member is injured, it can literally drag down the entire family, not to mention the money spent, but also the need for care.
It would be nice if that "hospital" could really send people to take care of the injured.
Someone immediately asked, "Could it be that all injured people will be taken care of by the gang from now on?"
"The women's camp where we live will be converted into a hospital in the future. Anyone injured on the battlefield will be sent directly here for treatment. If you are injured or sick on a normal day, you can also come to the hospital for treatment and just pay for the medicine." He Ling's voice suddenly became louder. Not to mention the boat gang, even ordinary villages don't have such a good thing.
If more people study medicine in the future, we won’t have to worry even if there are too many people on the island!
The women below were all agitated and excited. Everyone knew the Red Flag Gang was a big gang, but they hadn't expected it to even cover medical treatment. Isn't that a great thing?
Someone, distracted by other things, shouted, "Miss He, are you really going to use the women's camp for other purposes? Are we all going to move out in the future?"
Others also reacted and started asking questions. Some asked what to do if they were unmarried, some asked if they would still have to work, and some worried about no one helping to take care of the children. The chatter became a mess.
He Ling quickly raised her hand to silence them, "Stop arguing! I've asked the gang leader. We'll all move to the village. Married women will live with their husbands, and unmarried women can live alone. As long as we reclaim wasteland, we'll get a share of the land. We'll also build workshops for us to spin and weave, and we'll get paid. Now we're talking about studying medicine, so don't get off topic! Oh, and if you're willing to stay in the hospital, you can get paid and learn some skills!"
Hearing this, everyone felt relieved.
Now the village is becoming more and more like a military barracks. Although the women's camp where they live has a wall, they are still worried. It would definitely be more stable if they could move out.
As for those without support or with children, they were relieved when they heard about the workshop. The current workshop was actually quite good. They could eat a full meal every day and there was someone to help take care of the children. If they were given a little more money, even if they couldn't get married for a while, they wouldn't starve to death.
After settling down, I returned to the matter of studying medicine. It was inevitable that someone would grumble, "If I take care of the injured, wouldn't I have to worry about eating, drinking, defecating, and urinating? I'd also have to clean him up. He's not my own man, so it's not appropriate, right?"
"That's right, a grown man still needs our service. What if gossip spreads?"
"Maybe some people don't care. After all, they're paying..."
He Ling's face darkened after hearing these words. At this moment, a cold voice came from the side: "Isn't it true? Even with broken arms and legs and blood all over the place, there are still people who want to sit up there."
The tone was so harsh that the women who had been acting so sarcastic suddenly became angry. Someone shouted, "Ah Hong, are you itching for trouble again?"
Ah Hong laughed and said, "Yeah, I'm itchy. Where are you itchy?"
The woman was so angry that she almost stood up and ripped her mouth. He Ling had already reacted and shouted, "What's wrong with taking care of patients? You're almost dying, and you still despise the doctor because he's a man? If it weren't for those people fighting desperately, how could you have a peaceful life on the island? Besides, your men and sons wouldn't have been able to get on the ship and get hurt, right? Wouldn't it be better to have more women who understand medical knowledge and are thoughtful and considerate to take care of them?"
This series of rhetorical questions silenced all the strange talk. A woman in the crowd whispered, "My husband said that if a fight breaks out, the seriously injured will be thrown into the sea. Some with broken limbs were initially thought to survive, but were eventually dragged to death. If he can be cured, I'd feel more at ease if he came aboard."
Who doesn’t want their family to be safe and sound?
It sounds cliché to put yourself in someone else's shoes, but you will only know the pain when it happens to yourself.
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