Chapter 398: Learning

The woman's figure vanished beyond the main gate. The clerk straightened up, about to call for the next person, when something suddenly occurred to him. He paused and stole a glance at Wu Dacai.

The Deputy Chief Clerk was still propping his chin in his hand, lost in thought. The clerk waited a moment, then said in a low voice, "Sir, shall I call the next one in?"

Wu Dacai grunted an acknowledgment. Only after another long pause did he lift his head and look at the clerk. "Do you think that female doctor has real learning?"

The clerk's eyes darted about, and he quickly replied, "The female doctor answered every question with ease. Her treatment methods are sound and reasonable. She must possess genuine talent and solid learning. Sir, letting her serve a probationary term in the Military Medical Academy is truly putting the right person to use."

"Was there no part that seemed deliberately mystifying?"

The clerk hesitated. "Well, then... at the very end, she mentioned that on the battlefield, when the wounded suddenly multiply and wound powder runs short, one can slice the liver or kidney of a beast and apply the slices directly to the wound to expel external evils. This humble one found it somewhat bizarre and wondered if it might be deliberate mystification." (Note 1)

Wu Dacai nodded, then immediately shook his head. "But don't be too quick to judge whether it's true or false. Lord Pang has said that no amount of talk compares to a single trial. The camp has training injuries every day — try it and you'll know if it's real or fake. If there's truly no suitable injury, grab a few captives and wound them to match. That can also serve as a trial. If beast liver and kidney really can be used, the battlefield is full of them. Who knows how many lives could be saved? Don't let a moment of your own laziness cost the lives of many soldiers and officers."

"This humble one's thinking was inadequate. Sir's insight is far superior."

"Anything else? Her background, for instance?"

"That... that..." The clerk kept studying Wu Dacai's expression, trying to divine his superior's thoughts. After killing off countless brain cells, he finally continued, "It is precisely this background. She says she is from Xuanfu, that her family ancestors were military doctors, and the craft has been passed down. She has always followed her elders to various garrison forts to treat the Border Army's wounded. That she knows the craft of Military Trauma Medicine is plausible enough."

"A background in Military Trauma Medicine is plausible enough. But how she came to our Anqing — that background must also be investigated and verified. Military regulations cannot be thrown into disorder."

The clerk probed cautiously, "The female doctor said she happened to be treating patients in the garrison town when the Tartars broke through the pass, and thus escaped the slaughter. Her family ruined, she had no choice but to flee south, practicing medicine along the Grand Canal all the way to the Jiangbei region. Then she became separated from her family. This way, there is not even a single witness. This background cannot be verified. In our Cavalry Camp, anyone with an out-of-town accent must have their background checked. Ever since the Roving Bandits crossed the river barrier, even those from Jiangbei and Huguang must be questioned about their background, for fear of Roving Bandit spies infiltrating. This female doctor..."

"Mm, what you say has some reason. You and the Clerk Officer of the Military Medical Academy investigate her journey and experiences. A false story will always have holes. But do not deliberately make things difficult for her. It has been so long since someone with real learning came along, and she came to join us from the Lower River after reading the newspaper. Don't let reckless suspicion chill people's hearts. Remember Lord Pang's words: 'Appoint solely on merit.' As long as she truly has learning, there is no regulation that cannot be bent."

"Sir's thinking is lofty and strategic. This humble one truly cannot match it." The clerk hastened to admit fault again. Wu Dacai had spoken from both sides and claimed all the reason for himself. If any problem arose later, the clerical staff would still bear the blame. Afraid Wu Dacai would say more, the clerk immediately asked, "Then shall I call the next doctor in?"

Wu Dacai lowered his hand. "This official must go to the Military Office for an urgent meeting. They say new soldiers and officers have been recruited to fill the troop quotas, and the General Officer appointment certificates require this official's countersignature. More Clerk Officers are also to be added. Everything depends on this official, and these public duties cannot be delayed. For the rest, just question them yourself. Follow the same approach as just now — accept those with genuine talent and solid learning."

"This humble one obeys."

Wu Dacai reached for his crutch. The clerk hurried over to support him, but Wu Dacai waved him off. Standing up, he spoke to the clerk again. "This Military Medical Academy is a matter Lord Pang regards as important. You must handle it with care. Furthermore, this official believes that Clerk Officers should not hold themselves aloof. To earn the respect of the officers and men, you must let everyone see you often and do some practical work. At present, although every office and company has medics, the numbers are small. In ordinary times, minor training injuries can be managed. But once battle is joined, in the blink of an eye there will be dozens or even hundreds of dead and wounded. At such a time, the medics are not enough. And then there are those who do not go into battle — tailors, blacksmiths, carpenters — standing idle with nothing to do. The same goes for Clerk Officers. If all these people can be taught some life-saving and wound-tending skills, many lives could be saved."

The clerk had heard such high-minded speeches from Wu Dacai many times before and merely gave a perfunctory acknowledgment.

"All personnel in the Document Team, including the Clerk Officers assigned to every direction, are to go to the Military Medical Academy to study trauma medicine — what Lord Pang calls emergency aid. Ah, and this includes this official as well. Everyone must study seriously. Anyone in the Military Medical Academy who fails the Examination and Evaluation will have their Monthly Pay reduced by one full grade."

The clerk had not expected this follow-up. The previous combat skills Examination and Evaluation had just ended, throwing the Document Team into chaos, and they had only just finished assigning personnel throughout the Military Camp. Now this Deputy Chief Clerk wanted to stir up trouble again. The camp already had Medical Officers and Military Students — why did Clerk Officers need to add this superfluous move? If he himself issued this Order Token, he would inevitably be cursed behind his back by countless people.

In the moment he stood stunned, Wu Dacai had already walked out, leaning on his crutch.

The clerk cursed under his breath, "If you want to see that female doctor, go see her yourself. Why drag everyone else into it? Bah. You really think you're some kind of official."

On the street inside Jixian Gate, Wu Dacai sat high on his horse, halted in the middle of the road. Facing him was a small sedan chair. Neither side showed any intention of yielding.

A guard went over to inquire and returned. "Sir, it is the Assistant Magistrate of Huaining County."

The corner of Wu Dacai's mouth twitched. Although Cavalry Camp had a formidable reputation and did not need to watch the civil officials' expressions elsewhere in Anqing, here in the Prefectural City, their status still could not compare to that of civil officials. Even Pang Yu had to yield the road when meeting the Prefect. After a moment, Wu Dacai pulled his horse's head aside and moved to the side of the road.

The sedan chair swaggered past down the middle of the road. Its window was open, and the Assistant Magistrate glared fiercely at Wu Dacai, seeming even to spit in contempt, before lowering the sedan curtain.

"Really thinks he's some kind of official. A County Vice-Magistrate riding in a sedan chair..." Wu Dacai also spat on the ground. "I'm being methodical. I won't stoop to your level."

The guard came over to lead the horse by the head. On the road, whenever they encountered other sedan chairs that were not official ones, the sight of Cavalry Camp's military uniform made them obediently yield the way. By the time Wu Dacai arrived home, the anger in his chest had mostly dissipated.

His mount stopped before his house gate. Although there was a dismounting stone, Wu Dacai practically never used it because of his crippled leg.

The guard tied the reins, took the crutch, and crouched down beside the horse. As Wu Dacai swung sideways to dismount, the guard used his shoulder to bear Wu Dacai's weight, waiting until the good leg was planted firmly on the ground before handing up the crutch. Only after Wu Dacai was steady did the guard rise.

Some passersby around them were watching. Wu Dacai was long used to it and cared nothing for the thoughts of such peddlers and laborers. As the guard went to knock on the door, Wu Dacai's mind turned to other matters.

"The healer's heart is a parent's heart; the wounded are like newborn babes..."

The image of the female doctor in the hall still floated unceasingly before his eyes. Wu Dacai could not quite explain the feeling. She did not seem particularly beautiful, yet he could not shake her from his mind.

The main gate opened, pulling Wu Dacai back to reality. The one opening the door was the maid. Usually he paid her little attention, but today he looked carefully. She seemed somewhat fuller than when she first arrived; her looks barely passed muster now.

Wu Dacai stepped over the threshold and said to the maid, "The master's leg is aching a bit today. Come to the Study later and massage it for the master. And bring some..."

Suddenly, a sharp pain struck his head. A ball of fluffy something loomed before his face. Wu Dacai staggered, nearly falling to the ground. He hastily stepped back and only then saw his own woman holding a feather duster, glaring at him with fury in her eyes.

"What are you doing!" Wu Dacai roared at the woman.

"Hand over the silver!"

Wu Dacai froze for a second, staring at the woman. "What silver am I handing over?"

The woman rushed forward and shoved him hard. "The Monthly Pay you were issued."

Wu Dacai blocked her, saw that the guard was still outside the gate, and slammed the Gate Leaf shut. He turned and cursed at the woman, "I give it to you every month, what more do you want? I even gave you the two taels of servant allowance."

The woman pressed right up to him. "Wu Dacai, let me tell you something. When I was Eating Tea today, I heard from the other families — a Vice Battalion Commander doesn't just get six taels. It's clearly over ten taels. And you've been hiding it from me! Are you going to hand it over or not?"

As she spoke, she reached to search Wu Dacai's pockets. Wu Dacai swatted her hands away. "Who's hiding anything from you? You're the one who told me to hand over six taels. Has anyone ever given you less?"

"That was me who said that! You're the one who said six taels yourself. You have no shame!"

"When did I ever say that?"

The woman flung both hands out. "You gestured six taels!"

Wu Dacai turned his head aside, about to leave, but the woman grabbed his arm and yanked hard. "You're not going anywhere until you explain clearly."

Wu Dacai turned around and cursed at the woman. "How did I gesture?"

The woman stretched out her left hand with one finger extended, then stretched out her right hand with all five fingers extended. "This is how you gestured six taels."

Wu Dacai pointed at the single finger on her left hand. "This is ten taels."

Then he pointed at the five fingers on her right hand. "This is five taels. I was telling you fifteen taels all along."

The woman stared blankly for a moment. "This is fifteen taels?"

"Garrison Commander camp military hand signals. This is fifteen. You have no learning yourself, and you blame me for not saying it? Who's the one with no shame here?"

"What damn fool learning? If you can say it clearly, why go to the trouble of gesturing? Where's the silver, then?"

"What if I used it?"

Wu Dacai tried to walk further inside again. The woman came at him, clawing and pulling, insisting he hand over the silver. Wu Dacai, lame in one leg and thus limited in martial prowess, could not handle the woman. Fuming with rage, he yanked the Gate Leaf open, turned his head, and walked straight out.

"Where do you think you're going!"

"I'm going to find a quiet destination."

Wu Dacai slammed the door with all his might. The Gate Leaf crashed shut with a thunderous bang, and only then did his heart feel a little better. From inside came the sound of the woman's weeping curses. Wu Dacai did not stop walking until he reached his mount. The gazes around him suddenly felt somewhat piercing.

The guard helped him onto the horse and asked, "Where is Your Excellency headed?"

"Back to the yamen. Have the guesthouse prepare an extra room tonight — say a clerk officer from out of town has come to report affairs, and charge it to the Document Team's account." Wu Dacai cursed furiously, "Not a shred of learning — silver this, silver that all day long, just hearing it grates on me. If she's so capable, let her earn it herself. Note this down for me: next time anywhere is recruiting women, I'll send her right in and let her earn her fill."

The guard said blankly, "Replying to Your Excellency, this humble one recalls that the Military Medic Hospital, the Armor Workshop, and the Armor Room all recruit women, and the Dark Whistle Division Academy recruits as well — they even draw pay as Battalion Commanders. I just don't know what sort of learning they study there."

"Then send her off to that Dark Whistle Division Academy in Zongyang." Wu Dacai squeezed the horse's flanks. "Who cares what learning it is — the farther away, the better!"

……

Note 1: All Military Trauma Medicine treatment methods described in the text are recorded in Ming dynasty texts and do not exceed the actual circumstances of the time. Traditional Chinese medicine surgery reached a considerable standard during the Ming dynasty. In the field of Military Trauma Medicine, some practitioners compiled proven folk remedies into registers, reaching its highest level in the late Ming. Development stagnated after the Qing dynasty entered.