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Medical Academy.
Physician Sun was reading a medical book inside his clinic. This book had been written by Xiao Ming himself, filled with astonishing medical techniques one after another.
Over the past two years, he had gained much from these teachings. Diseases he couldn’t previously understand were now easily treated. He especially regarded Compendium of Materia Medica and Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold as medical masterpieces.
He had also studied Treatise on Epidemics, which offered unique insights into plagues and taught methods to defend against them.
He had asked Prince Xiao Ming several times about the origins of these amazing medical books, hoping to meet the authors, but was told that they had all passed away.
Although he was curious, he didn’t dare press further—he didn’t want to displease the prince.
Just as he was marveling over the techniques in the book, two people entered the clinic. Seeing who it was, Physician Sun immediately got up to greet them.
“Your Highness, Chief Minister Pang.”
He spoke respectfully. The students from the Public Administration Academy had already spread news of the political reform in Qingzhou, so he was well aware that the former Chief Secretary Pang was now Chief Minister.
Xiao Ming glanced around the clinic—it had three rooms and served a function similar to a school infirmary. Normally, sick students would come here, and when Physician Sun wasn’t busy, he stayed in the clinic.
Noticing that Xiao Ming and Pang Yukun both looked displeased, Physician Sun felt uneasy. He cautiously said, “Your Highness and Chief Minister visiting the Medical Academy truly brings us great honor.”
“Great honor?” Xiao Ming gave a cold hum. “Whether the Medical Academy can be honorable doesn’t depend on me—it depends on you, Physician Sun. At least you’re self-aware enough to admit the academy is just barely holding together.”
His words were blunt, and fear instantly appeared on Physician Sun’s face. He nervously asked, “Your Highness, what have I done wrong to make you this upset?”
“What have you done wrong? You really don’t know?” Xiao Ming snapped. “When I appointed you to lead the Medical Academy, what did you promise? Now there are over two hundred students—how many of them can practice medicine independently?”
Physician Sun finally understood the prince’s anger and responded, “Your Highness, throughout history, the tradition has always been to pass knowledge from master to disciple. Without that bond, there is no teaching. That has been the rule for generations. Now that I teach medicine at the academy, I’ve already broken those traditions. Other physicians have been scolding me behind my back. I hope Your Highness can understand.”
“Who is bold enough to act so arrogantly?” Pang Yukun frowned upon hearing this.
As the Chief Minister of the fiefdom, Pang Yukun stood firmly on Xiao Ming’s side. There were far too few physicians in the region, and many people had to travel long distances to seek treatment in Qingzhou.
The Medical Academy had been established specifically to train more doctors for the people. Anyone standing in its way deserved blame.
Physician Sun explained, “Chief Minister Pang, there are only a handful of master physicians in the empire. Now that I’ve broken tradition, I’ve been condemned by them all.”
Xiao Ming frowned. “So what if they condemn you? Do you not realize this academy was founded to heal the sick and save lives? Have all the teachings about compassion in medicine become meaningless? In truth, all of you care more about status and personal gain than actually helping people. You’re afraid that teaching others will steal your livelihood.”
“This… I…” Physician Sun was speechless. He couldn’t argue—Xiao Ming had hit the nail on the head.
In the Great Yu Empire, being a physician was a highly profitable profession. Xiao Ming’s radical reforms had long made many physicians upset. They grumbled behind the scenes but dared not speak out openly. After all, Xiao Ming was powerful and beloved by the people. If he didn’t hesitate to eliminate noble families, he surely wouldn’t spare some greedy doctors.
Xiao Ming gave a cold laugh. “I’m right, aren’t I? I don’t care about others. I only ask: are you, Physician Sun, willing to set aside your pride and teach everything you know to your students?”
Cold sweat appeared on Physician Sun’s forehead. Xiao Ming’s question was like a sword pointed at his chest. But after a flurry of thoughts, he still couldn’t bring himself to say yes or no.
Seeing his hesitation, Xiao Ming picked up the three medical books from the desk and said, “Since you care so much about tradition, I’ll take back these books. If you’re stingy with your knowledge, then I’ll be stingy with mine. When you’ve made up your mind, I’ll return them. If you can’t decide, then someone else should take over the academy.”
By the end of his sentence, Xiao Ming’s tone had turned even harsher.
Physician Sun’s face grew pale. It was clear Xiao Ming was forcing him to choose sides—either follow the old ways or embrace reform.
After a moment of hesitation, he said, “Please allow me a few days to think, Your Highness.”
Xiao Ming nodded and signaled Pang Yukun to leave with him.
Once outside, Pang Yukun asked, “Your Highness, I’m afraid Physician Sun may not be able to get past this. After all, medicine has always been passed from father to son, or master to student, with strict rules about how many disciples one can have.”
“If he can’t get past it, then I’ll find someone who can. If the reward is high enough, someone will step up. I refuse to believe we can’t break these outdated customs,” Xiao Ming said, clearly frustrated.
He wasn’t against honoring teachers. What he opposed was the creation of exclusive circles maintained by old-fashioned thinking. These attitudes had led to many valuable skills being lost over generations. People poisoned by this mindset would rather take their skills to the grave than share them.
Now, Xiao Ming wanted to break this cycle and give everyone who wanted to learn a fair chance. Otherwise, his efforts to build schools would be meaningless.
Pang Yukun gave a bitter smile and said, “Physicians are only one problem. Your Highness, have you heard of the Kong family of Qufu?”
“Qufu? You mean the one in Yanzhou?” Xiao Ming asked.
“Exactly. The Kong family has lived in Qufu for generations. They are the direct descendants of Confucius and are considered the true guardians of Confucianism. Every generation’s family head is granted the title ‘Duke for Perpetuating the Sage.’ The current head is Kong Hongming,” Pang Yukun explained. “If we’re talking about nobility, the Kong family is the most prestigious in the Great Yu Empire.”
Xiao Ming glanced at Pang Yukun in surprise. Clearly, Pang brought up the Kong family for a reason. Until now, Xiao Ming still didn’t know exactly which academic philosophy Pang Yukun followed. He smiled and said, “I had almost forgotten the Great Yu Empire’s top noble clan still resides within our borders. No wonder the scholars in Qingzhou are so stubborn—always chanting about Confucian orthodoxy. But since Chief Minister Pang brought them up, are you suggesting I pay the Kong family a visit and ask for their support?”