Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1526: Chapter 1526: The Mighty Alliance Leader_1

In the blink of an eye, the day of the Medical Alliance’s first exchange meeting arrived. Bai Ruozhu arrived early at the headquarters with Guoguo, but unexpectedly, several doctors had already arrived ahead of time and were sitting inside, drinking tea.

People were chatting in twos and threes, but after listening carefully, Bai Ruozhu realized they were just making small talk and not discussing much about medicine. After all, in this era, people tended to keep their knowledge to themselves, which she could understand.

She approached and greeted everyone present, but some did not take her seriously, their manner and tone somewhat disdainful.

Bai Ruozhu was not angered, her face always displaying a faint smile. Sometimes, earning recognition from others cannot be solved through quarreling or confrontation; it is only real strength that can prove everything.

Nowadays, Guoguo was only learning how to identify medicinal materials with Bai Ruozhu. Perhaps because of these experiences, he became much more reserved and appeared to be more sensible than other children his age.

He followed closely beside Bai Ruozhu, looking curiously at everyone there, wondering if he would become an excellent doctor like them in the future.

He must! Guoguo’s gaze hardened with determination; his master had said that as long as he was willing to put in the effort, he certainly could achieve it.

Yet, even though his master was so formidable, why was she still looked down upon? He felt a surge of anger, but remembering his master’s instruction not to act impulsively when facing problems, he bore it with clenched teeth.

When it was time for the exchange meeting to start, Jiu Sheng invited everyone to take their seats, saying cheerfully, ”Let us first have our leader of the Medical Alliance, Bai Ruozhu, who is also my master, say a few words to everyone.”

Murmurs arose from below. Since Bai Ruozhu had not participated in the previous medical competition, many were unaware of her medical skills, and seeing her as a young woman, they were very skeptical.

Bai Ruozhu went on stage and greeted the audience with a smile, saying, ”The Medical Alliance was proposed by me, and we also obtained approval from the Imperial Court. However, I know many people think I am definitely not the best in medical skills.”

She paused, smiling more broadly, ”That’s right, I am indeed not the best doctor.”

Jiu Sheng and Liao Hongzhe were both stunned. Was their master undermining herself? No one spoke that way. Below, the doctors started to whisper amongst themselves, many saying that Bai Ruozhu at least had some self-awareness.

”There are specialties in every field. I believe that in the realm of medicine, no one can claim to have the highest medical skills. Everyone has their strengths. Therefore, the purpose of the Medical Alliance is to learn from each other and progress together.” Bai Ruozhu then nodded toward a maid on the side, ”Distribute the Acupoint Maps to everyone.”

As the Acupoint Maps were distributed, the room suddenly quieted down. Everyone was too busy staring at the maps to gossip about Bai Ruozhu any longer.

”I know that till now, medical students having been primarily passing knowledge by word of mouth. Masters do not communicate much with others. But over time, we will just keep going in circles within our own realms, unable to access better, broader medical knowledge. Are you content with that?” Bai Ruozhu continued, ”Furthermore, due to various reasons, much medical knowledge has been lost, vanished into the river of history. Isn’t that a pity?”

By now, many were engrossed, unable to help but nod their heads in agreement.

”This Acupoint Map is the result of many years of my study and has received the recognition of the entire Imperial Medical Hospital. It has been approved by the Emperor and printed by the Printing Office. This is the first token of sincerity I offer to everyone today.” As she spoke, Bai Ruozhu lifted a bound manuscript, saying with a smile, ”This is my second token of sincerity.”

”What is it?” someone impatiently asked, ”An ancient medical book?”

Bai Ruozhu shook her head, ”Recently, I was commanded by the Emperor to go to the west and treat the disaster victims in the epidemic area, where a severe plague had broken out. In the process of treating the people, I compiled a set of experiences that also fills the domestic gap on plague epidemics. If you have time, feel free to read it.”

Liao Hongzhe and Jiu Sheng had not seen this manuscript. Jiu Sheng simply rushed over and took it first, exclaiming, ”Master, you haven’t shown this to us yet.”

Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but laugh, ”Do you think being my disciple allows you to get special treatment?”

Jiu Sheng was grinning as he looked on, and Liao Hongzhe also craned over to jostle for a view, while those below could not see at all.

”There’s only one manuscript, and it takes time to circulate it, so I might as well give everyone a brief rundown first. This manuscript will later be placed in the headquarters’ Book Collection Pavilion, and everyone is welcome to read it at any time,” Bai Ruozhu said.

By this time, no one was discussing the level of Bai Ruozhu’s medical skills. After all, plagues like this were difficult to treat and highly infectious, and few of the doctors sitting below dared to claim they could cure it.

”Alliance Leader, how did the epidemic area fare afterward? Were there any patient deaths?” someone eagerly asked.

”Apart from an elderly person who was assassinated by a spy, all other patients have recovered and have passed the isolation period, resuming their normal lives,” Bai Ruozhu replied.

”A spy...” everyone gasped in unison.

This was something they knew Bai Ruozhu couldn’t possibly lie about; managing a plague was a serious matter for the Imperial Court. If Bai Ruozhu lied, a little inquiry would reveal the truth, and even the emperor might punish her for spreading falsehoods.

Seeing that no one had any further questions, Bai Ruozhu began to talk about the treatment of the plague.

Half an hour passed, and Bai Ruozhu finally finished her explanation. She took the tea her maid had brought to moisten her throat and looked down at the doctors below, some still hadn’t snapped back to reality, while others looked at her without a hint of ridicule anymore.

The manuscript wasn’t immediately circulated among the crowd. Instead, Jiu Sheng and Liao Hongzhe took to the stage and shared their secret recipes, stirring even more excitement among the audience.

”Is there any doctor who would like to come up and share their insights?” Bai Ruozhu asked with a smile.

”I will!” A middle-aged man strode onto the stage, and another stood up, but upon realizing he was too slow, he could only say sulkily, ”Then I’ll be next!”

Soon, several doctors volunteered to share their medical insights, and the morning passed just like that. Clearly, the first exchange meeting was a great success.

”Alliance Leader, let’s put a table in front of the seats next time. I want to bring paper and pen to take notes,” a doctor suggested as he approached Bai Ruozhu.

Bai Ruozhu nodded, ”That’s a good idea, you’ll have a table next time you come.”

”Thank you, Alliance Leader” the man said respectfully as he bowed and then hurried to join others crowding to look at Bai Ruozhu’s manuscript.

Guoguo’s face was alight with a smile. His master was indeed amazing, changing people’s attitudes in just one morning. He too wanted to learn from his master and become as formidable as her one day.

Bai Ruozhu rested her chin in her hand in thought and said to Jiu Sheng and Liao Hongzhe, ”Later, tell them that from now on, the morning session of each exchange meeting will be for individual presentations, followed by a buffet and informal interactions at noon. Ask who wants to sign up for giving a presentation, and we can schedule them.”

Jiu Sheng immediately responded with a smile, ”Great idea, Alliance Leader mighty!”

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