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墨書 Inktalez
During the days at the Medical Camp, life was as grueling as the relentless study sessions of high school. Each day was filled with either memorizing the Medical Book or grinding herbs and diagnosing ailments.
Of course, most of the conditions that Ye Chen treated were simple cases of wind-cold and external injuries. He could handle these sprains and bruises with ease. However, when it came to internal injuries that required pulse diagnosis to understand the underlying issues, he needed Pei Guanjing to step in. In those moments, he would stand by, diligently learning and carefully observing Pei Guanjing's techniques and reasoning, silently noting down key points in his mind.
Doctor Liu had returned. He was a small old man often dressed in a gray robe, exuding a friendly demeanor. Whenever he had free time, he would take the opportunity at noon to share stories about his experiences gathering herbs.
Sometimes, Ye Chen would stay in the Medical Camp, squatting in a corner with his hands propping up his chin, listening intently as Doctor Liu recounted amusing anecdotes. The old man was approachable and kind-hearted; aside from Ye Chen, who was Pei Guanjing's direct disciple, all the other apprentices present were also Doctor Liu's students, learning medicine under his guidance.
One evening, as night fell and the number of people in the Medical Camp dwindled, the old man began telling stories again. In the military camp, aside from Doctor Liu and Pei Guanjing who had General He's orders allowing them unrestricted access, others could only enter or exit during their rest periods or official duties unless they had He Mu Ming's orders. Thus, those who couldn't leave were particularly eager to hear about events happening outside.
Ye Chen was resting his chin on his hands, eyes wide open as he listened to Doctor Liu recount a significant recent event. It was said that King Huai'an from Chongzhou had come to the capital on a pilgrimage to discuss the Promotion Edict issued by Regent Pei Yongshang.
The Promotion Edict was a policy announced by the Regent at the beginning of the year, stipulating that any strategies beneficial to local governments and people's livelihoods could be recommended for official positions as long as the recommenders were genuinely capable.
However, this policy had its flaws; local officials and prominent families often colluded with each other to secure recommendations for themselves, leaving no opportunities for humble households' children to rise.
In no time, some astute individuals began to voice their concerns about these loopholes.
"This won't do any good; those powerful families and local officials will still monopolize official positions. Even if the Promotion Edict is implemented, how many truly talented individuals will actually get those positions?"
"Not necessarily. I see that among those noble families, there are indeed a few capable individuals. If they were allowed to hold office, it would be better than us who have never attended private school and can't even read."
"You fool! Why are you defending those Powerful Families? They're all up to no good—each one tangled in complex relationships and connections. How many can truly help others instead of their own kin? You're just too naive; those families give you a few candies and you forget your roots."
“……”
The crowd was engaged in a lively debate, voices rising and falling as they argued. Although they were in the Military Camp, these soldiers genuinely cared about the state of the government and the welfare of the people.
Ye Chen's eyes darted among the arguing group. Eventually, he quietly poured himself a cup of hot water, cradling it in his hands and sipping slowly, choosing not to speak. He enjoyed watching the commotion, observing everyone express their opinions. It provided him with a sense of reality, grounding him in a world that often felt illusory. It reminded him that he was deeply entangled in it all.
Regarding the Promotion Edict, Ye Chen reflected on his history lessons from high school, recalling how several emperors from previous dynasties had attempted similar policies, only for them to be ultimately discarded by the passage of time.
The Imperial Examination System, however, had persisted throughout history and remained a cornerstone of governance. It upheld the principle of selecting talent based on merit rather than familial connections.
In the flow of a thousand years of history, a fleeting dynasty had provided an answer regarding talent selection—the Imperial Examination System.
With an answer in mind, Ye Chen gently blew on his cup of hot water and shook his head slightly, wearing an expression of regret that happened to catch Pei Guanjing's attention.
“What are you shaking your head for?”
Pei Guanjing stood silently behind him, one hand holding a Medical Book while the other rested behind his back. As people entered and exited the Medical Camp, they lifted the curtain, allowing moonlight to spill in and elongate his shadow.
Upon hearing Pei Guanjing's cool voice, the previously animated debaters fell silent as if someone had pressed a mute button. All eyes turned toward him before quickly shifting topics to other matters.
“Hey, the moon is quite round tonight; did you see?” one soldier broke the silence first, deliberately lightening the mood.
“Yes, yes! It must be almost Mid-Autumn,” another soldier quickly chimed in, his eyes betraying a hint of nervousness as he stole glances at Pei Guanjing.
Pei Guanjing was the Regent's Adopted Son, and upon his arrival, no one dared to discuss the Promotion Edict in his presence.
Gradually, the crowd dispersed. Doctor Liu stretched out his hand and waved a couple of times, trying to keep them from leaving, but no one stopped. He decided to give up and stood up, passing by Pei Guanjing. He glanced at him and Ye Chen, smiling as he nodded, "What are you two doing here?"
Ye Chen had been squatting by Pei Guanjing's feet. Upon seeing Doctor Liu, he suddenly stood up too quickly and lost his balance for a moment. Pei Guanjing instinctively reached out his hand, placing it behind Ye Chen in a gesture of support, as if he wanted to catch him if he fell. However, Ye Chen quickly regained his balance, and Pei Guanjing's hand silently retreated.
Doctor Liu observed all of this and greeted them before leisurely walking away.
Once Doctor Liu left the Medical Camp, Ye Chen followed Pei Guanjing into the Medicine Hall.
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