Chapter 555 - 459: Everyone in Politics Has a Black Heart (Part 2)

In a city like this, the population density, the cases encountered are numerous, and there are many patients from other regions seeking medical treatment in Li Jing.

If someone studying medicine is ambitious to make a mark in the medical field, they must go.

A year of experience in Li Jing is equivalent to ten years in the provinces.

Therefore, many medical practitioners who pass the medical exams will do everything possible to secure a position in the city’s medical halls after obtaining the qualification to practice independently.

Comparing the Capital City Medical Hall with Dongshan Prefecture’s, it’s like heaven and earth.

The Capital City Medical Hall has hundreds of medical practitioners and countless pharmacists and medical staff.

The medical halls in the capital provide residential services, whereas only the large medical halls in Dongshan Prefecture do; smaller ones treat and discharge patients without providing accommodation.

The Sansheng Hall, Huiming Pharmacy, and Imperial Physician’s Hall have at least ten times the scale of those in Dongshan City, along with several other large medical halls.

Indeed, the Imperial Physician’s Hall is a medical hall; however, it is not open to the public and is strictly for the royal family, noble courtiers, and officials.

Competition in the capital is fiercer; unlike in places like Dongshan, where a slight success can cause a clustering effect.

Thus, even for those who pass the medical exams in the capital, the path of "Ascending to Sainthood" through trials is extremely challenging, at least ten times or even a hundred times tougher than those at the provincial level, testing not only the practitioner’s ability but also their interpersonal relationships amidst hidden attacks.

Nevertheless, with the full support of Wen Ruyu and Mr. Fu, at least ninety percent of these hidden attacks can be warded off, leaving the remaining ten percent for her to handle alone.

It seems that the asset layout in Li Jing needs to be prioritized on the agenda.

Si Miaoxue and Yue Mei’Er’s reminders were right; everything needs to be considered beforehand. If it’s delayed for two years, how can he help his only apprentice then?

Liuli?

Perhaps she is the best candidate.

Only she is the most suitable among those around; no one else compares to her.

Begin by expanding Furong Garden’s pastry shop there; it might serve as an excellent preliminary move. As for whether Huaye Tower should also open a branch in Li Jing, that can wait and see.

"Mr. Lin, the Prefect invites you to visit the residence!" Lin Miao was speaking with Sun Youwei when a voice came from outside.

"Has Prefect Pei returned?"

"Yes, just returned."

"Alright, I’ll change my clothes and head over." Lin Miao answered.

...

Pei Jian sought him out immediately upon returning to the city, undoubtedly for important matters. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be in such a hurry to send someone to invite him over.

Lin Miao did not wear official attire; in fact, aside from formal occasions, officials typically prefer not to wear official robes due to the attention they attract.

He wore a silvery-blue long robe with a mink fur vest over it, giving him an air of refined nobility.

At this moment, Lin Miao exuded a sense of nobility, completely incomparable to the frail young man he was a year ago.

Some people don’t appear princely even when donning dragon robes; others, even in the simplest of cloth and hemp attire, exude an air of sophistication.

A person’s aura comes from within, and this trait can be inherited from the womb, etched in their genes, and cultivated later in life.

Previously, Lin Miao was merely an ordinary village youth. Now, he is an elegant young man of the world, of the highest caliber.

Practicing martial arts can change one’s aura; the higher the skill, the fewer internal impurities one has, becoming ever closer to perfection.

Thus, those who are beautiful naturally find it easier to achieve breakthroughs and advance.

"Mr. Lin, the Prefect is in the inner courtyard’s study."

"Lead the way." Lin Miao nodded slightly.

Pei Jian really has returned, with Mr. Zhou and Bai Feng, alongside the Su Family’s skilled hands stationed at Xue Family Manor, leaving him with little concern.

He needs to return to handle the accumulated official duties, and regarding the Ye Family’s matters, they need to be addressed before the Imperial Envoy arrives as necessary.

He is the originator of the case and, besides lacking authority over dealing with the wife of Marquis Lingyang, has the power to handle the rest involved in the case directly.

Upon being informed, Pei Jian, also in casual attire, greeted him from inside. Only two days had passed since they last met, yet there was a hint of fatigue visible on his face, with clear bloodshot eyes.

It’s evidently due to lack of rest and excessive stress.

"Subordinate Lin Miao pays respects to Prefect Pei."

"Mr. Lin, no need for formalities, please, come in." Pei Jian smiled upon seeing Lin Miao, raised a hand to signal the servants to leave.

"Mr. Pei, please."

"Mr. Lin, thank you for your help at Xue Family Manor." Entering the study, Pei Jian bent over in gratitude towards Lin Miao.

"Oh, Mr. Pei overstates it. I merely know some medical skills and helped Mr. Pei with a small favor; no need to be so formal." Lin Miao quickly reached out, admitting only that he treated Iron Palm Zhou Qianren’s injuries at Xue Family Manor, denying everything else.

The credit for intervening that night, decisively settling the battle, and sending the antidote for Qianji Powder is something he does not want.

As for how Pei Jian reports it, that’s his concern.

However, while he doesn’t want that recognition, the Su Family does. As imperial merchants, if they can receive rewards from the court, it would benefit their status in Lanzhou and future commercial expansion.

Moreover, if the Su Family could gain a title due to this, entering the noble rank, even if it’s just for one generation, it would be extremely rare.

Yet some things he cannot say openly; it depends on what Pei Jian decides. Pei Jian has substantial authority in this matter.

If he wishes to share some of the credit with the Su Family, it would be quite easy.

In the officialdom, especially for those like Pei Jian, who come from aristocratic backgrounds, having been educated from a young age and with more than ten years of experience in the official world, naturally understand Lin Miao’s implicit wish not to be too closely involved in this matter.

It’s not just about being indifferent to fame and fortune; it’s mainly about avoiding trouble.

Lin Miao likely does not aspire to an official career, otherwise why take the "medical exams" route instead of pursuing the imperial examination path which would be smoother given his intelligence.

Passing the "medical exams" only allows promotion within the field of medical officials, which is too narrow a path; even if he reaches the pinnacle, he would only be labeled as a major medical expert.

Though the title is honorable and its status equivalent to a duke, it’s not comparable to the true power of a duke.

The servant brought in hot refreshments, then closed the door as he left.

"Mr. Lin, please."

"Thank you."

Although Lin Miao doesn’t know why Pei Jian urgently invited him over, it’s most likely related to the Ye Family’s seizure.

"Mr. Lin, Ye Shengyuan has been implicated in treason and collusion with Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion and the Green Blade Sect. Now with the Ye Mansion, Ye Family Medical Hall, and various industries sealed, the prefecture considers having the Medical Bureau manage all related medical assets after the seizure temporarily."

Lin Miao felt a thud in his heart; temporary management could mean a gradual loss.

Pei Jian clearly intends to deliver the valuable medical assets connected to the Ye Family to him; of course, not completely free, but eventually nearly so.

After the seizure, medications in the warehouse spoil quickly and are disposed of, houses fall into disrepair, sold cheaply...

A million-worth asset might barely count for ten thousand in the end.

But Lin Miao hadn’t considered becoming so greedy, as doing such would leave a stain if uncovered later.

Openly, he allows no stains on his record; covertly dealing with matters is another story.

"Then Prefect Pei should involve Mr. Wen Ruyu, as he’s the Chief of the Medical Bureau." Lin Miao remarked without changing his expression.

"Certainly, Mr. Wen needs to be consulted; however, the only one I can fully trust to take on this is Mr. Lin. Moreover, it concerns the medical industry’s stability in Dongshan; the Ye Family was previously pivotal in Dongshan’s medicine sector. If the populace isn’t reassured, it will definitely cause a major stir." Pei Jian explained, "After the seizure, transferring to the Medical Bureau allows the bureau to handle autonomously, as long as benefits the Dongshan’s medical trade and safeguards the court’s interests. By exercising authority lawfully, the Bureau can fend off objections."

"Prefect Pei, such a significant matter, may I take some time to consider?" Lin Miao pondered. If Pei Jian doesn’t transfer the Ye Family’s seized medical-related assets to the Medical Bureau, then he would have no stake.

Should the court choose to auction openly, he would bid then. Now, it’s like offering the Ye Family’s most valuable assets on a platter to him; should he accept or not?

Pei Jian deliberately wants to involve him, then seize this opportunity against him.

Indeed, those involved in politics are truly sinister at heart.