flstandardbreds Chapter 989 Hua Chang'an's Wish
Chapter 989 Hua Chang'an's Wish
Upon hearing Chang Xuening speak, Li Che's brows immediately furrowed, and he almost rejected the idea outright.
Indeed, Chang Xuening had studied medicine and made great contributions in the early days of the medical camp, earning her a high reputation in the medical community.
However, her current status is ostensibly that of an imperial concubine, but in reality, she assumes the responsibilities of an empress and is the mother of the nation in the Daqing Dynasty!
My Daqing has no one left, sending the mother of the nation to a dangerous place?
This is against etiquette and a dangerous gamble for safety; Li Che would never agree to it.
Hua Chang'an was initially somewhat fearful, but when he saw that Chang Xuening was going to go in person, his fear vanished instantly.
Just kidding, if the imperial concubine really went, I wouldn't be able to keep my job as the head of the academy anymore, I could just go home and farm.
The head of the Imperial Medical Academy, a high-ranking official of the first rank, failed at a crucial moment.
Does the emperor support you just for free?
He immediately stepped forward, his voice urgent: "Absolutely not! Her Majesty the Imperial Concubine is of noble birth; how could she possibly venture into such a dangerous place?"
"This matter concerns the very foundation of the nation. If Her Majesty suffers any loss, we, your humble servants, will be eternally ashamed. It is only right that this old minister should go on this mission. Please grant Your Majesty's permission!"
Li Che looked at Hua Chang'an and saw that his face was full of frowns. Compared with the first time he met him, he was already very old. Li Che was also moved and felt sorry for him.
So Li Che tentatively said, "The divine physician Hua is old, and the journey to Qiongzhou is long and arduous, with a dangerous epidemic... I am very worried."
"How about we have the Divine Physician select a few of his capable disciples to go there with his strategies?"
Hua Chang'an shook his head. Although he was timid, he was not incapable of taking responsibility.
"Your Majesty, it is not that this old minister is greedy for credit, but this matter is absolutely unacceptable."
"The situation of this epidemic is still unclear, and the students have little experience. If they make wrong judgments, it will not only delay treatment, but also cause a major disaster."
"This old minister is truly worried. I cannot feel at ease unless I personally undertake such an important task."
Seeing Hua Chang'an's determined gaze, Li Che knew that further persuasion would be useless.
Moreover, given the current situation, Hua Chang'an is indeed the best candidate.
They are experienced, capable, and loyal enough not to leave halfway through their careers.
Li Che took a deep breath, suppressing the complex emotions in his heart, and said in a deep voice, "Since that's the case... I grant it."
He paused, then looked at Hua Chang'an with sincere eyes: "To be honest, I am deeply gratified that Physician Hua has risked his life for the country, but I also feel sorry for him."
"The fate of this divine physician is uncertain. Is there any unfulfilled wish? If so, I will grant it!"
Hearing this, the mood of everyone in the hall became even heavier.
This is almost equivalent to asking for someone's last wishes.
Hua Chang'an remained silent for a long time, a complex expression appearing on his face.
He bowed again and slowly said, "Your Majesty... This old minister has indeed kept something in his heart for many years, and I humbly request Your Majesty's grace."
"Speak quickly, divine physician, and I will grant your request!" Li Che said immediately.
He would feel better if Hua Chang'an asked him for something.
Hua Chang'an raised his head and slowly said, "Does Your Majesty still remember my daughter, Hua Wan?"
Li Che was slightly taken aback, then remembered.
On his way to his fiefdom, he happened to save Hua Chang'an.
Hua Chang'an once considered offering his thirteen- or fourteen-year-old daughter to him as a sign of loyalty.
Li Che declined the offer, citing the girl's young age, and the matter was naturally dropped.
As for the little girl, Li Che had seen her before.
She had a rather delicate appearance, but I was too young back then, and so many years have passed that I don't remember her much.
"To be honest, this old minister said with a hint of bitterness, "My daughter has been admiring Your Majesty ever since she first saw His Majesty's face from afar, and she has been unable to control herself ever since."
"Over the years, the old minister and her mother have searched for talented men for her and proposed countless marriages, but she has always refused them to the death."
"Now that I am getting older and thinner, I cannot bear to see you like this. It pains me to see it."
He bowed deeply again: "Your Majesty, I humbly beg you to grant me permission to enter the palace, even if it is only as a name and title, so that I may serve Your Majesty and ease my longing for you. I will die in peace!"
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the people in the hall varied.
This is indeed a difficult matter to judge. If someone else were to say it, it would certainly be seen as an attempt to curry favor with the powerful.
But Hua Chang'an was different. His daughter and the Emperor had a genuine but shallow connection back then. Given his status, there was no need for him to offer his daughter to win the Emperor's favor.
It's more like a father entrusting his daughter to the monarch.
Looking at the old minister's humble plea for his daughter, Li Che was filled with mixed emotions.
Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately agreed: "Alright! I agree!"
"I am not heartless; how can I allow her to be without a proper title or status?"
"Once the divine physician returns in triumph, I will formally marry her and welcome Hua Wan into the palace with the rites due to a principal consort!"
Chang Xuening, who was standing nearby, immediately stepped forward and gently comforted her, "Don't worry, Doctor Hua. I will handle this matter properly and thoroughly, and I will make sure that Miss Hua does not suffer any grievances."
Hearing the emperor and empress make such a promise, Hua Chang'an's tense nerves finally relaxed.
He took a deep breath and bowed solemnly again: "In that case, this old minister has no more worries. Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty and Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to investigate the epidemic and live up to your trust!"
. . . . . .
Hua Chang'an accepted the order, and the Imperial Medical Academy, Medical College, and Military Hospital immediately began operating efficiently, with dozens of capable medical officers being selected.
Medical students also enthusiastically signed up, and together with medical personnel from military hospitals, more than a thousand medical staff were quickly assembled.
Li Che also mobilized a large amount of medicinal materials and epidemic prevention supplies from the capital, and the medical advance team was ready to go in a very short time.
As the medical team embarked on its journey into dangerous territory, it naturally required military escort.
The situation on Qiongzhou Island is currently unclear. The military must ensure the safety of the journey, maintain order in the epidemic area, and implement quarantine measures.
However, when the news spread among the military officers in the court, no one was willing to volunteer.
Li Che understood them; it wasn't that these generals were afraid of death.
They were all ruthless warriors who had tasted blood, and they would never flinch when facing enemies with open swords and spears.
But plagues are invisible and intangible, killing people invisibly. They cannot be resisted by strength, nor are they their forte.
When asked to lead the charge, they didn't hesitate.
But they were hesitant to send a team to a remote island where a terrible plague was breaking out.
It is perfectly normal human nature not to volunteer.
Li Che understood their concerns, but he couldn't force them to name names, as that would be tantamount to sending his men to their deaths, which would inevitably demoralize the soldiers.
Just as he was pondering this matter and considering whether to select the generals by drawing lots.
An unexpected person came to him.
The person who arrived was none other than Li Che's favorite deputy general.
Marquis of Daqing Jiayou, Ma Zhong!