Chapter 974: Outline

Hu Ying was concerned about another point: “Do we also need to write down the processing methods for medicinal herbs in the book?”

Pan Yun: “Of course. Since we’re giving out the prescriptions, we must clearly state the processing methods. One herb can have completely opposite effects when raw versus processed—if we don’t clarify, won’t we endanger lives?”

The others deeply agreed.

The Prince of Zhou grew uneasy: “The scale of this project would be enormous. The Zhou Wangfu alone probably can’t complete it.”

His face flushed faintly, but he whispered: “The Zhou Wangfu isn’t what it used to be—there are far fewer physicians now.”

This wasn’t the fault of the current Prince of Zhou, but of his predecessor.

The former Prince of Zhou, though he continued managing the medical bureau left by his father, was more obsessed with theater, so many of the physicians who had gathered during his father’s reign dispersed.

By the time the current Prince of Zhou ascended and took over, the Wangfu ’s medicinal trade had shrunk, and most of the physicians had left; only in recent years, as he took up his grandfather’s passion for medicine, did medical talent begin to gather again.

Miao He immediately raised his hand, excitedly saying: “Me me me, I’ll help you!”

Tao Yanbai stood nearby, equally excited, eyes gleaming, yet he didn’t move.

Miao He glanced at him, grabbed his hand, and raised it: “And my senior brother too!”

Hu Yuanjie looked at the two, then at the Prince of Zhou, and suddenly clapped his hands and laughed: “Brilliant idea! Daoist physicians have one advantage no folk doctor can match.”

Miao He asked curiously: “What’s that?”

“Pills,” Hu Yuanjie said. “Daoist physicians make the best pills of all kinds. If we record the effects and manufacturing methods of these pills in this book, ordinary people could prepare them for emergencies.”

Miao He thought for a moment, then nodded: “That’s a good idea—but only suitable for common pills, like digestion pills, stomach-strengthening pills; diarrhea-stopping pills, yang-restoring pills.”

Tao Yanbai: “Besides pills, our Daoist medicinal wines are superior to common folk formulas—excellent for treating bruises, warming and tonifying qi and blood, strengthening tendons and bones—but…”

Hu Yuanjie, seeing him hesitate, urged: “But what?”

Tao Yanbai scratched his head, glanced at Pan Yun, then said: “But some herbs require extremely careful processing—if done improperly, the medicinal wine could turn toxic.”

Pan Yun: “Then remove the medicinal wines with high risks.”

Hu Yuanjie, delighted that Pan Yun didn’t oppose sharing prescriptions, immediately said: “I also have several secret prescriptions for treating illnesses—all verified. I originally planned to include them in my own ‘Simple and Easy Hygiene Formulas.’ Since the Zhou Wangfu is compiling a new Thousand Gold Formulas, I’ll donate mine.”

Pan Yun immediately raised her hand: “Hey, you can record yours too. Even if the knowledge overlaps, repetition helps people remember better.”

The Prince of Zhou, stirred by their enthusiasm, rolled up his sleeves: “Then let’s draft a new outline.”

The group talked until sunset, only realizing how late it was when lanterns lit up inside the palace.

The Prince of Zhou panicked: “Will the palace gates be locked? Can we even get out?”

Pan Yun said: “The Imperial Astronomical Bureau and the inner palace are separate. This is the outer court—what’s there to fear?”

She added: “There are sleeping quarters inside the Bureau, though modest. Miao Zhen, prepare two beds. The heir will sleep tonight with Yanbai.”

The Prince of Zhou opened his mouth: “But—but we’re leaving tomorrow. If we don’t leave the palace, how will we make it back in time?”

Pan Yun glanced at the outline just beginning to take shape, then turned and suggested: “Why not stay in the capital?”

The Prince of Zhou’s mouth fell open.

The next day, Pan Yun went to see the Emperor.

That same day, the Emperor personally urged the Prince of Zhou to stay, appointed him as an advisor to the Taiyi Academy, and ordered him to revise the former Prince of Zhou’s ‘Herbs for Famine Relief’ and compile a new ‘Universal Aid Formulas.’

The Prince of Zhou and his son remained in the capital. This drew the attention of other princes preparing to depart, who whispered: “Is this truly about compiling books, or just an excuse? The Emperor’s Consort Hang is pregnant—she’s due to give birth soon, isn’t she?”

“Even if the imperial consorts aren’t pregnant right now, what does it matter? The Emperor is still young.”

Suppressing the speculation that the Emperor might adopt an heir, all suspicions remained unverifiable—further thought was pointless.

Pan Yun also placed Miao He and Tao Yanbai in the Taiyi Academy, assigning them to assist the Prince of Zhou in compiling the book and to learn from the imperial physicians.

“Besides studying medicine, you can also learn how they process herbs, and get familiar with the Taiyi Academy’s medical school.”

Miao He and Tao Yanbai exchanged glances and cheerfully agreed.

“Little Master Uncle, will we one day be able to achieve something in the Taiyi Academy like you?”

Pan Yun: “With your talent and effort, absolutely.”

Miao He and Tao Yanbai ran off happily.

Both the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and the Taiyi Academy were inside the palace, though one was at one end and the other at the other—still far more convenient than being outside.

Every morning, Miao He and Tao Yanbai went to the Taiyi Academy, while Miao Zhen studied Daoist cultivation within the Bureau, and Pan Yun tightly scheduled her own time.

Reading by lamplight at night harmed the eyes, so she cultivated for two hours after dark before sleeping.

During the day, she immersed herself in her work.

Half her time was spent copying diagrams from the Spirit Realm’s records; the other half, she went to the Ministry of Works.

Five days later, Pan Yun brought a large box filled with stacks of paper to the Ministry of Works.

Besides Hu Cheng, she summoned Yu Qian, Chen Xun, and Hu Ying—all five held a meeting.

Pan Yun opened the box, laid out the bound diagrams, and handed them her proposal.

The proposal was handwritten only once; Yu Qian read it first, and his expression grew increasingly animated.

The others hadn’t seen such liveliness on his face in a long time, and couldn’t help leaning in to look.

One glance, and they couldn’t look away.

After they finished reading the proposal, Pan Yun waited a moment, then pointed at Hu Ying, Chen Xun, and Hu Cheng: “Talent, money, and implementation—none can be missing.”

Chen Xun’s eyes gleamed; ideas flooded his mind.

Yu Qian, doubtful, asked: “Are the things described in your book truly functional?”

Pan Yun: “Naturally.”

Yu Qian frowned: “Railways, trains, powered by mineral oil—trains capable of hauling dozens of tons. Just this one idea—you realize how much the world would change?”

Pan Yun leaned forward, gripping the table, and fixed him with a gaze: “Reform isn’t meant to bring massive change?”

Chen Xun fully trusted Pan Yun—after all, she could fly. What in the world was impossible?

He could only lament: “Why didn’t you bring this forward sooner? If we’d known there were so many ways to make money, why would Lord Yu have submitted his petition to survey land? You don’t know—the memorials denouncing Lord Yu are piling up on the Emperor’s desk.”

Pan Yun dismissed it: “If land surveying can be implemented, its benefits outweigh its harms. Since it’s begun, just keep going.”