jdhmnovel Chapter 157 Distraction, Then Rejection
Chapter 157 Distraction, Then Rejection
Watching Wang Qiong's figure gradually disappear into the distance, Yang Shaofeng really wanted to go to the capital as well, and preferably see with his own eyes Kong Xixue's expression after he learned that the Southern School had begun compiling the "Hongwu Encyclopedia".
You dog, let's see if you still have time to resent me?
Of course, the reason why Magistrate Yang insisted on dragging Kong Kezhong and his son Kong Xilu of the Southern Sect into the mess was partly to disgust Kong Xixue and his son, and partly because he hoped that Kong Xilu could become a fierce catfish, so that Kong Xixue would continue to work hard for the position of Duke Yansheng.
As for whether Kong Xixue will give up after the Southern School's Kong Xilu and his son are eliminated, there is no need to worry about that. As soon as the Southern School is eliminated, the old foxes of the Northern School will be able to guess that Emperor Zhu is likely to change the school and grant titles. In order to maintain the special status of the Northern School, the people of the Northern School will definitely target Kong Xixue and his son.
Either let Kong Xixue complete the compilation of the Hongwu Dictionary and other books before the Southern School completes the Hongwu Encyclopedia, forcing Emperor Zhu to continue to confer the title of Duke Yansheng on people from the Northern School, or let Kong Xixue voluntarily step down and let someone more capable take over to complete the compilation of the Hongwu Dictionary.
For Kong Xixue, at this point it was no longer just a matter of whether or when he could inherit the title—as long as Kong Xixue didn't want to be in trouble, he had no choice but to work himself to the bone, at the very least to make Emperor Zhu see his value so that he would protect him and shield him from the simultaneous attacks from the Northern and Southern factions.
Therefore, once the compilation of the Hongwu Encyclopedia began, Kong Xixue had no choice but to work diligently; there was no other option for him to leave.
……
After seeing Wang Qiong off, and then leaving the place to languish in the backyard of Ningyang County for a few more days, Magistrate Yang finally welcomed the long-awaited doctor and medicinal herbs.
The two doctors and medicinal herbs escorted to Ningyang County this time were the Chang brothers, old acquaintances of Magistrate Yang.
"This doctor is also surnamed Yang, and his name is Yang Qing. He is a well-known doctor even in the Imperial Medical Academy. This is Wang Hu, who is Doctor Yang's last disciple."
Chang Mao introduced the two doctors to Yang Shaofeng with a hint of envy—these were renowned doctors in the Imperial Medical Academy, and apart from a few noble families, ordinary wealthy families could hardly afford to hire Physician Yang for treatment. Even Wang Hu might not be able to get one.
Now things have really gotten out of hand. Magistrate Yang really dared to ask for it, and His Highness the Crown Prince was also really willing to give it. With a wave of his hand, he sent Physician Yang and his disciple to Ningyang County, and even allowed the two famous doctors to register their residence in Ningyang County.
Favoritism, this is blatant favoritism!
After Magistrate Yang exchanged pleasantries with the two renowned doctors and had someone take the two doctors to settle in, Chang Sheng began to introduce various medicinal herbs to Magistrate Yang.
"These dozen or so carts ahead are full of all kinds of medicinal herbs, many of which were allocated by the palace. Not to mention Ningyang County, even pharmacies in the capital may not be able to buy them."
"The next dozen or so carts contain the medicinal herbs that you specifically requested, Brother Yang. Star anise, cinnamon, and fennel are especially abundant, and they are loaded onto each cart. However, there are fewer bay leaves, only about half a cart."
Yang Shaofeng checked each box, then bowed to the Chang brothers, Chang Mao and Chang Sheng, and said, "Thank you for your trouble, gentlemen."
Chang Mao quickly returned the greeting, "Brother Yang, you're too kind. It's an honor for us brothers to bring these medicinal herbs to Ningyang County. We dare not accept your thanks."
Chang Sheng chimed in, "That's right. If my father knew that my brother and I received such a great gift from Brother Yang, he'd probably break both of our legs."
After exchanging pleasantries once more, Yang Shaofeng led the Chang brothers, Chang Mao and Chang Sheng, into the county government office.
As they walked, Chang Sheng suddenly sighed, "I don't know why Brother Yang is willing to stay in Ningyang County. If he could be transferred to the capital to serve as an official, we brothers could often ask Brother Yang for advice, and maybe we could even go to a brothel together for drinks."
Chang Mao nodded and said, "Brother Yang, when are you going to the capital? We brothers aren't very capable, but when it comes to which brothels and pleasure boats in the capital are the best, we know them inside and out."
Magistrate Yang was immediately tempted, but then he quickly refused: "You two gentlemen are joking. The imperial court has its own laws, and I am the magistrate of Ningyang County. How could I possibly go to a brothel to have fun?"
There was nothing he could do. Although Magistrate Yang dreamed of a carefree, lazy life and longed for the brothels along the Qinhuai River, wishing he could listen to music in the brothels every day, Zhu Chongba, that old tyrant, forbade officials from going to brothels. He didn't care whether the officials went to brothels for refined or vulgar purposes; if he caught them, he would behead both the official and the brothel girl.
This regulation was not specifically set for Magistrate Yang, but for all officials; it just so happened that Magistrate Yang was the one who was wrongly implicated.
In the eyes of the Chang brothers, others might risk being beheaded for going to brothels, but for Magistrate Yang, going to a brothel only risked being beaten; the level of risk between the two was completely incomparable.
In reality, even with the risk of beheading, the officials in the capital still went as usual, only now they went secretly instead of openly.
However, when Magistrate Yang suddenly mentioned the laws and regulations of the imperial court, the Chang brothers dared not offer any further advice.
Chang Mao cupped his hands in greeting to Magistrate Yang and said, "It was our brothers who were being presumptuous. We forgot for a moment that Brother Yang is still an official. Please don't take offense."
Yang Shaofeng smiled and immediately changed the subject: "By the way, how long will you two gentlemen be staying in Ningyang County this time?"
Chang Mao said, "This time when we came to Ningyang, His Highness the Crown Prince did not set a return date for my brother and me. He only said that he would see if Brother Yang had any instructions. If there was anything that my brother and I needed to do, Brother Yang could just give the order. If not, my brother and I could stay in Ningyang County for another three to five days."
Magistrate Yang nodded thoughtfully, then led the two brothers into the county government office to settle them in. After hosting a banquet for the two brothers, Magistrate Yang then had Lame Five lead the way to find Yang Qing.
Upon meeting, Magistrate Yang went straight to the point, saying, "Doctor Yang, Doctor Wang, I have some ideas and hope you can offer some guidance."
Yang Qing cupped his hands in greeting to Magistrate Yang and said, "Please speak, Magistrate Yang."
Yang Shaofeng explained his idea of preparing decoctions and grinding them into powder according to the number of doses, but Yang Qing frowned and said, "Preparing decoctions according to the number of doses is not difficult. Formulas such as Xiao Chai Hu Tang and Ma Huang Tang are readily available. However, everyone has different illnesses, and each patient's symptoms are different. The medication must be adjusted according to the individual's condition."
"If it is as Magistrate Yang said, and only Xiao Chai Hu Tang or Ma Huang Tang is prepared, then the efficacy will be much weaker, and it will be difficult to achieve the desired effect."
“However…” Yang Qing suddenly changed the subject and said, “Lord Yang’s idea is quite ingenious, we can give it a try.”