Chapter 78: Not Inferior to Court Ministers

For instance, right now, an old minister and Prime Minister Gao exchanged a glance, then stood up and spoke in a sarcastic tone:

"It is already improper for a woman to show her face in public, yet you dare attempt to use an untested substance on the masses; this is truly absurd. As for your claim of teaching some needle technique, how dare you speak so arrogantly before all the Imperial Physicians? Are you not afraid of twisting your tongue?"

The moment Jun Jun Zijin and Quan Quan Aoyu entered the main hall, she swept her gaze over everyone present. Her peripheral vision had been fixed on Prime Minister Gao, so that glance between the old man and the Prime Minister certainly did not escape her sharp eyes. Jun Jun Zijin narrowed her eyes slightly, a hint of coldness flashing through her gaze, and a mocking smile curled her lips. They intended to place the entire Imperial Medical Bureau against her.

Jun Jun Zijin calmly looked at that old minister:

"My lord, your words are mistaken. With the epidemic urgent and traditional methods proving ineffective, why not give a new method a chance rather than waiting passively for death? Moreover, this vaccine is not fabricated out of thin air; it is the result of extensive research. Or perhaps, my lord, you have a better method?" After speaking all that, Jun Jun Zijin felt nearly exhausted. Having been here for so long, she still was not used to using flowery language.

That old man had no better method at all, but how could he bear to be questioned by a mere girl? The old man blew his beard, raised his eyebrows, and spoke in a huff:

"You yellow-haired girl, how dare you speak such nonsense here! Which of the Imperial Physicians in the palace has not practiced medicine for decades? Ask them, has anyone ever seen such an absurd method? Vaccine? Hmph, it is merely a side path of evil arts. How can you treat the safety of His Majesty, the Imperial Princes, and the people of the world as a game!"

Jun Jun Zijin's lips curled slightly upward, revealing a cold and mocking smile. Did they intend to drag the entire world to stand against her?

Jun Jun Zijin slowly spoke: "My lord, precisely because this concerns the people of the world, we should be even more willing to try new methods. It is true that the Imperial Physicians have practiced for decades, but given the current situation, everyone in the palace is already living in fear. Once smallpox breaks out, can you bear the responsibility for the safety of His Majesty, the Imperial Princes, and the people of the world?" Jun Jun Zijin exhaled a breath; speaking plainly was still more satisfying.

"You..." The old man was momentarily speechless, his face turning bright red.

At this moment, Guo Guo Yuanzheng, the Medical Director who was obsessed with medicine, had already cursed that old man countless times in his heart. That girl was the descendant of the Divine Physician Fang; if she could cure the Prime Minister's mother of acute cerebral stroke, curing smallpox was hardly surprising. Would the Emperor really deny her request based on a single word from that old thing? He simply could not hold back any longer and said:

"Minister Zhang, do not be too agitated. Lady Lady Qingping is indeed the descendant of the Divine Physician Fang. If you do not wish to try Lady Lady Qingping's new method, do not hinder us. I, an unworthy official, can represent the Imperial Medical Bureau. We eagerly await learning Lady Lady Qingping's needle technique."

Upon hearing this, the old man was so angry he nearly fell backward. He pointed at Guo Guo Yuanzheng, stammering "You... you... you..." for a long time.

Quan Quan Aoyu, who had been silent, spoke with a cold voice: "Enough. Do not waste time here. My Jun Zijin has a heart for the people of the world and has painstakingly studied medicine. How can she be compared to you old, rigid things? You do not know yet that the Imperial Physicians were helpless against the Seventh Prince's illness. Now, my Jun Zijin's golden needle technique has reduced his high fever, and his condition has stabilized. Does anyone else have anything to say?"

Quan Quan Aoyu spoke plainly, briefly explaining the matter of the Seventh Prince. The old man was left speechless by Quan Quan Aoyu's rebuttal. The Crown Prince had spoken, saying "my Jun Zijin" on the left and "my Jun Zijin" on the right. How could he not see the position this woman held in the Crown Prince's heart? What could he do about his unwillingness? Could an arm twist a thigh?

Old man Zhang belatedly realized that not only had he been used as a weapon by Prime Minister Gao, but more importantly, he had now angered the Crown Prince, that killing god. His future days would likely not be easy. Old man Zhang bitterly complained in his heart and shut his mouth.

Upon hearing Quan Quan Aoyu say the Seventh Prince's condition had stabilized, the Emperor was overjoyed, and his tense expression relaxed slightly. Quan Quan Wuji's gaze held inquiry and expectation as he stared tightly at the girl before him. He felt that this girl possessed not only an unyielding spirit but also wisdom and steadiness, not inferior to court ministers. Yet she was clearly just a child who had not yet reached her coming-of-age ceremony. This girl seemed to have many mysteries yet to be unveiled. However, she truly matched Yu'er well; this marriage decree was excellent. Quan Quan Wuji nodded inwardly.

A smile hung on the Emperor's face. "Lady Lady Qingping has a heart for the people of the world; I am greatly comforted."

"Lady Lady Qingping, if this vaccine is implemented, what is your degree of certainty?" the Emperor asked.

Jun Jun Zijin respectfully replied: "Your Majesty, I have a 90 percent certainty. Although not fully confirmed, the current situation is critical, and it is worth a try."

The Emperor nodded slightly. Not to mention 90 percent, even 50 percent would be worth it. Just as the Emperor was about to speak, Prime Minister Gao, who had not spoken until now, stepped forward and reported:

"Your Majesty, this act is too risky. If it fails, it may provoke public anger."

Jun Jun Zijin spoke calmly:

"If Prime Minister has a better method to control the smallpox epidemic, please speak and let us hear it. If not, once the smallpox epidemic spreads, forget about public anger; people will likely be in panic, and a fine city will turn into a hell. Moreover, as long as those vaccinated have no adverse reactions, even if it is ineffective, it will cause no harm. Once vaccination succeeds, antibodies will be produced, and the smallpox virus will be completely eradicated. Prime Minister, no matter how you calculate this account, it is profitable. Do you agree?"

Just as Prime Minister Gao was about to say something more, the Emperor waved his hand:

"Minister Gao, this girl is the granddaughter of that old man Fang. I believe in her abilities, and the situation is now pressing. However, regarding this vaccination matter, who is willing to go first?"

In the court hall, the atmosphere was exceptionally Solemn. For a moment, no one answered the Emperor's question. Just as everyone looked at each other in silence, a sound of hurried footsteps approached from afar.

It turned out that Xiang Xiang Junzheng had rushed to the scene. As soon as he stepped through the hall door, he heard the Emperor's majestic voice ring out: "Who is willing to go first?"

Xiang Xiang Junzheng hesitated not at all and immediately responded loudly: "Your Majesty, I am willing!"

He pondered inwardly: Today, after that poisonous woman Wu's uproar, the Crown Prince must be extremely angry with him. Perhaps the Emperor has also heard of it. This is an excellent opportunity to perform. If the mission is successfully completed, the father and son will surely no longer punish him; they might even appreciate and employ him.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor raised an eyebrow, then a look of gratification appeared on his face. He nodded slightly and said approvingly:

"Minister Jun, your courage is commendable. Since that is the case, Lady Lady Qingping, please administer this untested vaccine preparation to Minister Jun first." Having spoken, he turned his gaze to Lady Lady Qingping standing aside.

What? Xiang Xiang Junzheng only then realized what this untested vaccine preparation was. He had never heard of such a thing; his heart was filled with shock and unease about the unknown. But he had already agreed without hesitation before the Emperor, and a wave of regret instantly surged in his heart. However, since matters had reached this point, how could he go back on his word in front of the Emperor? Would that not be seeking death? Xiang Xiang Junzheng could only grit his teeth and force himself to go through with it.

Finally, the Emperor Tianqi Emperor's words settled the matter of vaccination. It was just that forcing these rigid ancients to roll up their sleeves and expose their arms before a girl was probably harder than killing them. Jun Jun Zijin asked:

"Is there any Imperial Physician willing to inject the vaccine for Minister Jun? I, a humble woman, am willing to teach the injection skill."

Upon hearing this, Guo Guo Yuanzheng was overjoyed, his face filled with smiles. He eagerly responded:

"This old man is willing! This old man is willing!" This was a good thing he had longed for! To have such an opportunity to participate and learn the unheard-of injection skill was truly a fortune. Guo Guo Yuanzheng raised his right hand and answered loudly, his excited manner as if fearing the other party might change their mind.

Although the vaccine capable of preventing the smallpox virus was not personally developed by him, as long as those who received the vaccine injection would never again be afflicted by this terrible disease, then in any case, he had participated! A strong sense of pride surged in his heart. Guo Guo Yuanzheng's face beamed with a delighted smile, as if immersed in the joy of his contribution and unable to extricate himself.

Soon, a screen was set up in the hall. Xiang Xiang Junzheng's face looked slightly pale as he gritted his teeth and received the vaccine injection. Everyone around held their breath, watching tensely. The vast hall instantly became silent; even the sound of a needle dropping on the ground seemed audible.

Finally, two quarters of an hour passed, and Xiang Xiang Junzheng showed no adverse reactions. At this, those ministers who had previously opposed fell silent. The Emperor was overjoyed and immediately summoned the Imperial Physicians to learn the injection skill and acupuncture from Jun Jun Zijin, administering the vaccine to the uninfected in the palace and everyone present in turn. Another group of Imperial Physicians was assigned to learn acupuncture. Jun Jun Zijin also gave them some anti-infection pills and anti-itch medicine so they could treat the infected. Guo Guo Yuanzheng was delighted, treasuring them like precious items.