Chapter 2441 - 2415: Bestowal of Honors

The emperor excused them from formalities, allowing everyone to sit down before starting to discuss national affairs.

The most pressing matter at hand was naturally tomorrow’s Ministry of Personnel examination, so the Minister of Personnel first stepped forward to report the preparations to the emperor...

Manbao sat in her place, listening intently to the discussions on national affairs, eagerly anticipating when it would be their turn at the Imperial Hospital. She grew more excited with each passing moment, but kept waiting as more issues seemed to arise recently.

In some places, spring plowing had finished, while in others it was just beginning. Some areas experienced excessive rainfall, ruining seedlings and seeds as soon as they were planted, while in other regions the lack of rain made planting impossible...

Some places faced worrisome water-control issues, with river channels needing desilting and dams requiring reinforcement. There were even skirmishes at the border due to disputes over grasslands and water sources, leading to yet another clash with Tubo, albeit a small-scale one involving soldiers from the Tuntian leading the herdsmen in fighting, with minimal losses...

In short, there were many issues to address. Manbao thought being an emperor was truly exhausting; these grand court meetings occurred every ten days, and she heard such problems every time she attended them.

Occasionally, there were reports on corrupt officials as well, effectively making it an endless stream of tasks each day—truly pitiable.

Lost in her thoughts, Manbao felt the aftereffects of waking up early; her eyelids felt heavy, and the sounds around her were growing faint.

She reminded herself that today was special, a day when she should be happy and alert to see the entire proceedings...

So she endeavored to keep her eyes open, lifting her head to take a vacant look at the emperor above. But he grew increasingly distant and blurry, and her eyelids drooped again...

It felt like a fleeting moment when her knee was nudged, snapping her back to reality. The previously absent sounds flooded back into her ears, and upon opening her eyes, she saw County Magistrate Tang quietly retracting his jade tablet.

Manbao clenched her jade tablet tightly in her hands, blinking and looking forward to discover Director Xiao was currently delivering a report, which invigorated her and banished her drowsiness entirely.

The emperor was praising Director Xiao and the Imperial Hospital, and naturally, rewards followed his commendations. Director Xiao had no room for promotion, so the emperor granted him the benefits of a third-rank official. Imperial Doctor Lu was promoted by one rank, and Imperial Doctor Liu by half a rank, making his status equal to Director Xiao’s, all because the smallpox remedy was brought back by Zhou Man, earning her the title of Lady of the Village.

The emperor had already prepared her title in advance, directly naming it "Liyang".

Manbao’s eyes shone brightly, while County Magistrate Guo’s heart skipped a beat. The term "Liyang County" bordered their Wan County, though Liyang County belonged to Yongzhou. It’s uncertain where those five hundred households would be allocated, but if they bordered their Wan County directly, in the future...

County Magistrate Guo glanced at Zhou Man, while County Magistrate Tang looked at County Magistrate Guo. Meanwhile, Manbao kept her gaze fixed on the emperor, feeling thrilled and delighted as she knelt to express her gratitude.

The emperor, smiling warmly, pardoned them from formalities, encouraging them to continue working diligently and to swiftly disseminate the smallpox vaccination, hoping this would prevent future generations from suffering the affliction.

Of course, the emperor couldn’t just give rewards offhandedly. Aside from Zhou Man’s reward, which was predetermined, the other honors were discussed with the ministers.

In fact, they’ve debated these rewards since yesterday.

Naturally, Director Xiao couldn’t participate since he was directly involved, so he felt bewildered. He had anticipated receiving an honorary title or some position change. After all, advancement seemed improbable, but the emperor just granted him third-rank benefits without any title or position...

It felt peculiar, and somewhat unsettling.

Initially, Manbao felt indifferent, but after stepping out with Director Xiao, she too sensed something amiss. "Strange, why didn’t His Majesty grant you a title, and directly bestow third-rank benefits?"

Director Xiao himself was puzzled, "How would I know?"

But Lord Wei and Lord Tang knew.

County Magistrate Tang found it peculiar too, so he followed his father out of the palace.

Lord Tang and the others worked in the imperial city and needed to leave the palace. Seeing his son exiting the palace gates without swiftly returning to his County Governmental Office but instead trailing behind, Lord Tang glanced back and glared at him irritably, before quietly saying, "The emperor wishes to make the Imperial Hospital independent from the Imperial Ministry of Rites."

County Magistrate Tang was amazed, "Won’t that make the nine ministries into nine ministries and one institute?"

"It’s an office," Lord Tang paced leisurely ahead with hands behind his back, speaking softly, "Just like the Imperial Academy, the Imperial Hospital will oversee healthcare offices across the nation, not only educating medical students but also supervising medical practitioners nationwide."

Scholars throughout the country were under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Academy, including prefectural schools, county schools, and even various private academies all fell under its authority. The emperor aimed to create an independent Imperial Hospital exempt from the oversight and constraints of the Imperial Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Revenue, or even the Imperial Treasury.

County Magistrate Tang asked, "Will Minister Zhang agree?"

He was the Minister of the Imperial Ministry of Rites.

Lord Tang replied, "He won’t agree. Who can oppose the emperor now? Moreover, the emperor retrieved the thick document that Zhou Man, Bai Shan, and Bai Cheng presented back then, even Lord Wei supports the emperor. Although the financial requirements are substantial, I believe it’s achievable. If executed as Zhou Man suggested in their document, the common people would ultimately benefit."

County Magistrate Tang questioned, "How substantial are the financial requirements?"

Lord Tang chuckled, "Are you worried this will end halfway, wasting the effort and money?"

County Magistrate Tang remained silent.

Lord Tang sighed, "That’s our primary concern, but seeing Zhou Man still so young, and Bai Shan relatively youthful as well, we feel this matter could be accomplished gradually."

Lord Tang continued, "But we’re too old; we might not witness it."

County Magistrate Tang: ...

After walking a while, Lord Tang noticed his son wasn’t keeping up and glanced back, "What are you standing there for? Since you’re here, come to my office to collect your impeachment statement and return it written and defended."

County Magistrate Tang: "...Father, no, Lord Tang, who would be so foolish to impeach someone so diligent?"

"Wasn’t there an incident with a frightened horse injuring people at Chang’an County’s marketplace yesterday?"

County Magistrate Tang: "No, an elderly man saw the startled horse galloping past the street corner and fell from fright. I’ve already adjudicated..."

Father and son argued as they walked away, while Manbao followed Director Xiao back to the Imperial Hospital, clasping hands with others and exchanging congratulations along the way, "Congratulations, congratulations..."

Upon returning to the Imperial Hospital, they continued congratulating colleagues until they finally finished exchanging felicitations. Manbao then slipped into Director Xiao’s office to find him, "Director Xiao, shouldn’t you inquire further? I find this title-less reward rather unstable."

Director Xiao was also slightly dejected. Everyone else was promoted at least half a rank; even those like Imperial Doctor Zheng who weren’t promoted received significant rewards. Only he received a vague third-rank benefit without any title, which could be revoked with just a word from above.