The head of the Mu family

Chapter 197 Women's Imperial Examination

However, things changed drastically, and in September, a full-blown famine broke out.

The situation is not optimistic. This time, it's not that there was absolutely no harvest, but it's very close.

The affected area is too vast; both major countries are affected.

The Great Liang has been prosperous for many years, barely managing to maintain its current situation.

Although Da Hao had spent many years cultivating himself and engaging in farming.

However, the people only became more peaceful and comfortable, but they did not become richer.

Gradually, the wasteland was eaten until not a single blade of grass grew.

After discussing it, Grand Tutor Peng, Prime Minister Fang, and Qi Luan all advocated sending people to other countries to discover new crops.

People continued to starve to death, and cannibalism had become commonplace.

In some perverse and manipulative practices, even human flesh prices have emerged.

The elderly are the least valuable, while young women and children are the most valuable.

There are people who specialize in eating human flesh, and it is said that they prefer the breasts of teenage girls because the flesh is the most tender.

For children under three years old, steaming or making soup with it is also very delicious.

Older people can make steamed buns and dumplings.

Many families sold their children and women to these people in exchange for food.

If a person starved to death, they would immediately be devoured by some daring individuals.

Corpses littered the fields, and people fled the famine everywhere.

The two emperors were in a state of great distress, each trying to find a solution.

Daliang bought grain from Kun Kingdom in southern Xinjiang, and the people of Daliang tightened their belts to weather the crisis together.

Since the country has been peaceful and prosperous, Dahao has supported Tibet in recent years, teaching them agriculture, medicine, and other skills.

However, Tibet itself was still very poor. When the new Zanpu learned that Daliang had suffered a disaster, the whole country sent 50,000 shi of grain.

Although it's just a drop in the ocean, we've done our best.

In Daliang, officials responsible for disaster relief were all living in fear.

The situation was urgent, and the emperor issued a kill order:

This disaster relief effort is of paramount importance. Anyone who embezzles more than five hundred taels will be executed without mercy!

Anyone who embezzles more than two thousand taels of silver shall have their entire family executed!

This time, the emperor gave important positions to the usually overly upright Detective Zhan and the beloved Judge Huo.

These two adults had been marginalized for a long time, and they were too rigid in their actions and conduct.

He is usually very capable in handling affairs, but his words have never won His Majesty's favor.

Qi Luan somehow managed to get Jing Tang to take Nian An to the Imperial Study.

After he came out, he brought with him two decrees, appointing the two officials.

He was granted the imperial sword; once the matter was verified, he would execute the offender without prior notification.

After a series of actions, disaster relief efforts have seen significant improvement.

By the end of the year, the number of people starving to death each day gradually decreased.

Huai Sheng, having just recovered from a serious illness, has been providing free medical consultations around Yedu. Qing Chen, on the other hand, has been taking care of things and is always busy providing free medical consultations outside.

During the Lunar New Year, the whole country breathed a sigh of relief.

After the New Year, as the weather warmed up, people started dying again.

A great disaster is always followed by a great plague, and it arrived just as predicted.

The emperor quickly ordered the Imperial Medical Academy to devise a prescription to eradicate the plague throughout the country.

Ruan Yuanzheng personally led Lan Yaoshen and a group of imperial physicians to Ganshui County, the area most severely affected by the plague.

The caravans sent out to find crops brought back potatoes and yams.

Especially the yam plant; just put it in a basin with some water, give it a place to grow vines, and it will produce yam fruits in no time.

Potatoes, once planted, yield a high harvest.

The emperor then took a two-pronged approach, having the eldest prince take the lead.

He led the other princes and joined the Imperial Hospital in encouraging the people.

Fang Xiang and Grand Tutor Peng Qi Luan then joined forces to focus on promoting new crop farming.

At the end of April, good news came: the epidemic was under control.

However, the epidemic was so widespread that the imperial physicians were still extremely busy.

On this day, Huai Sheng was providing free medical consultations outside the city gate when Sixi Gonggong's apprentice arrived on horseback.

Huai Sheng quickly stood up to greet him, and the old man hurriedly said in a high-pitched, polite voice:

"No need for formalities, Physician. His Majesty summons you; please come with me to the palace immediately."

Huai Sheng was a bit confused, like a monk trying to figure things out, and Qian Yan took her medicine bag.

"Go quickly!"

"His Majesty's headache has flared up again. Physician Li said your acupuncture is better than his."

Don't change your clothes, just take your acupuncture supplies and come with us quickly~

After hearing this, Huai Sheng took the needle case and gently helped her onto the horse.

"I'll escort you to the palace gate. Go in peace, I'll be waiting for you there."

After entering the palace, Huai Sheng quickly followed the eunuch to the Imperial Study.

Inside, Grand Tutor Peng, Prime Minister Fang, Grand Protector Qi (Qi Luan had been promoted), and several ministers from various departments were kneeling on the ground.

As soon as Huai Sheng entered, she knelt down to pay her respects, and Li Xiangmo quickly pulled her aside.

He shoved the medical record into her hands and said:

"Junior sister, come quickly and take a look at His Majesty's headache; he needs acupuncture."

Master went to Ganshui County the day before yesterday to help Lord Lan with the plague situation.

You're better than me at needlework, take a look!

Huai Sheng quickly examined the pulse diagnosis and took the patient's pulse again.

He took out the needle and got to work.

Half an hour later, the old emperor's head looked like a hedgehog.

Those nearby dared not utter a sound, and Li Xiangmo secretly broke out in a cold sweat.

This junior sister is still so fierce!

This is His Majesty's head!

Huai Sheng then lit some herbal sticks and, like moxibustion, applied them to the acupoints on the emperor's neck.

Half an hour later, the needles were removed, and the old emperor indeed felt his headache was gone.

Mu Huaisheng breathed a sigh of relief, Li Xiangmo breathed a sigh of relief, and the eunuchs and maids serving nearby also breathed a sigh of relief.

"You two wait here for a moment!"

"According to the order!"

After they both responded in unison, they stepped back into a corner, keeping their eyes, noses, mouths, and minds at rest.

"Grand Tutor Peng, Grand Protector Qi, do you still hold the same original intentions?"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The two said in unison.

"Where is Fang Xiang?"

Do you have any suggestions? What do you think should be done about this?

"Your Majesty, this old minister has not yet made a decision!"

Qi Taibao's words were shocking, but upon closer examination, they made sense.

Grand Tutor Peng's insistence is a fundamental principle that has been upheld since ancient times.

"How many ministers are there?"

What are your opinions on what Qi Taibao said?

"Your Majesty, I have never heard of such a thing!"

Furthermore, this would violate established norms, and after much deliberation, we still find it difficult to accept allowing women to participate in the imperial examinations.

The Minister of Revenue knelt down to report, without even raising his head.

Huai Sheng stared in astonishment, his heart pounding with excitement:

Qi Luan truly lives up to his reputation as my male god!

The suggestion to allow women to participate in scientific expeditions is incredibly exciting!

The old emperor slammed the jade pendant onto the table, startling everyone. The standing princes immediately knelt down, and the entire room followed suit.

The imperial physicians in the two corners hurriedly knelt down as well.

"Li Xiangmo, what do you think about this?"

A commanding voice rang out from above, and Li Xiangmo began to break out in a cold sweat. Huai Sheng quietly moved closer to him, his arm touching his.

Li Xiangmo felt a little more support, raised his sleeve to wipe the sweat, and replied in a trembling voice:

"Your Majesty, I have studied medicine since childhood, but I am not proficient in other areas."

Whether it was good or bad for women to participate in scientific expeditions is impossible to judge.

However, in the field of medicine, there are indeed some women in the world who study medicine, like my junior sister.

They studied medicine not only to make a living for themselves.

It has also helped many more people in the world who need help.

"I may not understand other matters, but for all human beings, regardless of gender, learning more skills is always a good thing."

After Li Xiangmo finished speaking, he quickly knelt down on the ground again.