Chapter 638: Administering Antibiotics to Queen Inmok

For the imperial physicians of the Great Ming, lung ailments really weren't too big a problem.

Ever since Zhu Youxiao had transmigrated over, investments had been made in many areas, and some places had even seen cutbacks. But for the people of the Imperial Academy of Medicine, their funding had never been reduced.

Zhu Youxiao had provided some ideas, allowing the Imperial Academy of Medicine to launch research into modern medicine. These past few years had seen especially rapid progress, and the appearance of various new medicines had filled them with great confidence.

Zhao Changsheng was the standout of the Imperial Academy of Medicine. If it weren't for that, he wouldn't have been sent to Joseon this time.

Though Zhao Changsheng was cautious at heart, he still had confidence.

The group walked inward together and soon arrived within the palace.

Queen Inmok's health was actually not very good, and she normally didn't receive visitors. If it weren't for the people from the Great Ming coming this time, she wouldn't have agreed to meet at all. After all, the Great Ming people had said they'd brought an imperial physician to treat her illness, so it wouldn't be proper to refuse an audience.

One should know, the woman who came this time was no simple figure. Although she was Zhang Yu's concubine, word had already spread throughout Joseon that this concubine was extraordinary — she was the granddaughter of the Marquis of Xining of the Great Ming.

For someone like that to be Zhang Yu's concubine, one could see Zhang Yu's status and position.

Joseon also knew that Zhang Yu was a young official the Great Ming Emperor thought very highly of. Although Prince Fu was nominally in charge this time, everyone knew that the one truly calling the shots was that Zhang Yu.

"Help me up." Queen Inmok said to the female official beside her.

"Yes." The female official acknowledged, hastily helping Queen Inmok up, then asked cautiously: "They've already arrived outside. Shall I have them come in?"

"Let them in." Queen Inmok nodded and said.

Before long, Song Xiang led Zhao Changsheng inside.

After they exchanged greetings, the group sat down.

Song Xiang sized up Queen Inmok while pondering to herself.

This woman was the biological grandmother of the current King of Joseon, and she had also orchestrated the coup back then, since the one who had taken the throne was not of her direct lineage.

From any angle, this was an extremely capable woman. If not for her poor health these past two years, she wouldn't have retreated to her current position.

"You've come from afar, weary from the journey, and still you worry over me. I've put you to trouble." Queen Inmok looked at Song Xiang and said with a smile: "Thank you for your concern."

"The Queen is too kind." Song Xiang said with a smile: "Why not let the imperial physician examine you first?"

"Much obliged." Queen Inmok said with a smile.

Zhao Changsheng stepped forward at this time, walking directly to Queen Inmok's side.

He couldn't help but take a look at Queen Inmok.

Queen Inmok was only in her forties this year. Though not considered long-lived by the standards of this era, it wasn't short-lived either.

But Zhao Changsheng knew that these people were nobles, living in an environment completely different from ordinary commoners — their lifespans would be longer. So the age of forty was considered young within their group.

Queen Inmok's face was somewhat pale, her lips slightly blue, and her skin not very good either. It was clear to see that this illness had tormented her for quite some time.

After a moment of silence, Zhao Changsheng finally spoke: "Your Majesty, may I take your pulse?"

The meaning of these words was obvious — he wanted to make physical contact. Pulse diagnosis via a suspended thread was far too unreliable; Zhao Changsheng truly didn't dare attempt it. If things went wrong, problems were very likely.

"Physician Zhao may act freely. I have no such taboos here." Queen Inmok said with a smile.

She was already a woman close to death, and with her advanced age, she didn't have many such concerns. Queen Inmok took things quite philosophically.

This let Zhao Changsheng breathe a sigh of relief. That was good. If he'd encountered someone with many taboos, trouble would have been very likely.

He still had a stethoscope in his bosom, and he very much wanted to take it out and try it. But on second thought, he decided against it. Never mind using it — merely mentioning it would probably cause trouble.

Zhao Changsheng reached out his hand and placed it on Queen Inmok's pulse, beginning to take her pulse gently.

No other sounds remained in the room; everyone held their breath.

For Song Xiang, this was a political gamble.

But for the others in Joseon, the implications of this matter were very great. If Queen Inmok's health were cured, it could very likely affect Joseon's political situation.

There were even people watching on the side — any news from here would quickly be delivered to the King of Joseon.

After a long moment, Zhao Changsheng lifted his hand and began to speak: "The Queen overexerted herself in her youth, causing considerable damage to her body. Though she has recuperated well over the years, it still couldn't be fully recovered. Combined with an old ailment in the lungs, her health has steadily declined."

Queen Inmok nodded, not finding anything particularly surprising.

Though Joseon's imperial physicians weren't as skilled as the Great Ming's, they could still see such basic things.

"There's no major problem. It can be cured." Zhao Changsheng said.

The moment these words came out, Queen Inmok was stunned. She raised her head to look at Zhao Changsheng and said: "Physician Zhao, it truly can be cured?"

Her voice was even trembling slightly.

It was clear to see that she was very agitated.

She had suffered for so many years, and suddenly someone said it could be cured — and this imperial physician had said it so casually. How could one not be doubtful? How could one not be excited?

Queen Inmok was still young; she still wanted to live!

"Of course there's no problem." Zhao Changsheng said: "I'll first prescribe the Queen two courses of medicine to regulate her body, getting her constitution back in order."

"Though you've also been regulating your body, the focus has been different. The medicines I prescribe will not only warm the yang and tonify the kidneys, but also strengthen the liver and fortify the spleen, preparing for the next stage of medication. Then I'll give the Queen some medicines to treat the illness itself."

"I believe that within a few months, the Queen will recover her health. After another period of recuperation, there will be nothing seriously wrong with your body."

Upon hearing these words, Queen Inmok became excited.

The physicians who had treated her before never dared speak like this. Though they had said many comforting words, Queen Inmok knew that she probably didn't have much time left to live.

Though they hadn't said "beyond cure" or "medicine and food both ineffective," that was essentially what it amounted to.

Yet this imperial physician from the Great Ming actually said she could be cured quickly?

Besides shock and excitement, there was also a measure of disbelief.

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty." Song Xiang spoke up at this time.

With a brilliant smile on her face, she said: "Physician Zhao is a top imperial physician of the Great Ming's Imperial Academy of Medicine. He wouldn't deceive Your Majesty with such matters."

"Is that so? Then that's wonderful!" Queen Inmok said hastily.

By now her emotions had stabilized, but the excitement on her face still couldn't be concealed. She looked at Song Xiang and asked: "You truly have such confidence?"

"The Great Ming's Imperial Academy of Medicine has many new medicines that can treat this. Your Majesty can rest assured on that point." Song Xiang said with a smile.

Though these medicines hadn't yet been widely distributed, Song Xiang knew that the Imperial Academy of Medicine had some very expensive medicines with excellent effects. Though they were extremely difficult to prepare and hadn't yet reached the stage of mass production, they could still be used on an individual basis.

In this regard, Song Xiang had some understanding. She had originally worked in the Staff Office, where there were many senior figures, and some of them had used these medicines before, with very good results.

That was why Song Xiang had such confidence.

As for the medicines Song Xiang mentioned, they were naturally antibiotics — aureomycin and penicillin.

These were two things developed by the Imperial Academy of Medicine of the Great Ming. They had been rather unstable at first, and only in the past two years had they stabilized. Mass production was still a distant prospect, but they were already usable.

For many diseases, antibiotics were wonder drugs. Take Queen Inmok before them for example — once her body was regulated, penicillin would make the illness in her lungs no problem at all. That was why Zhao Changsheng had such confidence.

"That's good, then!" Queen Inmok agreed with a smile.

She had been somewhat agitated just now, and though she had now calmed down, Queen Inmok's complexion was not looking very good. Clearly, violent emotional swings were also a burden on her body.

"Take me to prepare the medicine, and give it to the Queen first." Zhao Changsheng beside her said hurriedly.

Queen Inmok glanced at the female official beside her and said, "Take Physician Zhao there."

"Yes." The female official promptly acknowledged and prepared to lead Zhao Changsheng away.

Song Xiang glanced at the people beside her and said with a smile, "You all go along as well, and see if there's anything you can help with."

Queen Inmok glanced at Song Xiang but said nothing.

Sending people along was clearly not merely sending people along. As for "helping," that was naturally a joke.

To put it plainly, they were sending people to keep watch, lest anyone pull any tricks.

Song Xiang truly did worry about this. Though the possibility was very small, it was not nonexistent. If someone wanted to harm Queen Inmok, striking at this moment would let them pin the blame on the Great Ming. At that point, the Great Ming would not even be able to explain itself clearly.

The chance was small, but not zero, so they had to follow.

The person beside her nodded and said, "Yes."

With that said, the person turned and followed them out.

Though Queen Inmok felt somewhat unwell, she still forced herself to keep up the conversation with Song Xiang.

The two mostly talked about matters of the Great Ming and matters of Joseon, with little else touched upon.

As for court politics, naturally that could not be discussed. On the one hand, Queen Inmok no longer concerned herself with court affairs, nor was she very knowledgeable about them; on the other hand, it was not quite appropriate for two women to discuss such things — matters of the household were more suitable.

Before long, the female official delivered the medicine.

Zhao Changsheng also returned with her.

Seeing Song Xiang looking at him, Zhao Changsheng nodded, indicating that there was no problem.

Song Xiang said, "Your Majesty the Queen, please take the medicine first. If after the time it takes to burn one stick of incense Your Majesty shows no ill effects, we shall take our leave."

"Very well." Queen Inmok nodded and had someone bring the medicine over, then drank it down.

After a while, seeing that Queen Inmok had no problems, Song Xiang finally proposed taking her leave.

Queen Inmok had someone escort her out.

As for Zhao Changsheng, he was to remain within the Joseon royal palace.