A Talent for Statecraft, the Crown Prince's Aide

When Chen Ming had written to Ye Renxin back then, Ye Renxin had suggested that he dedicate these medical books to the Heaven Dou Empire so that the various treatments within could be spread more widely.

Chen Ming had originally planned to find a way after some time had passed, but "Xue Qinghe" had arrived at just the right time. He immediately took out a set of bound books from his Soul Tool.

"Crown Prince, please take a look."

Chen Ming pushed the heavy books toward Qian Renxue. With some curiosity, she opened the topmost volume and found that it contained nothing but common medical methods.

The medicines were nothing unusual, the techniques were nothing unusual, and neither were the illnesses being treated. The contents focused more on methodically teaching what each condition was, how it should be handled, and how to alleviate or temporarily treat it when it could not be properly dealt with.

As a Power Attack System Spirit Master, Qian Renxue had only idly browsed through a couple of medical books before. Yet in her memory, whether they were treasured volumes from Spirit Hall or the Heaven Dou Empire, the medical techniques and medicines described within were far superior to those in Chen Ming's books.

After leafing through them briefly, the only thing Qian Renxue could see was that these common ailments were described comprehensively, and the barrier to entry was relatively low.

On the other hand, the following two books, one aimed at Spirit Masters and the other at the military, made Qian Renxue nod slightly in interest.

"Were all four of these books compiled by you, Little Brother Chen?"

"Compiled would be too generous. They can only be considered edited collections. I learned poison arts from Senior Dugu and medicine from Senior Ye. But while studying, I noticed a problem: most medical books only considered how to treat illnesses under ideal circumstances. For example, when there was enough medicine and enough time..."

"But I was born in a small village and had seen far too many so-called unreasonable illnesses. There was no money for treatment, no medicine to use, no time to recuperate, or sometimes simply no doctor at all."

"So I wanted to gather and record those common methods that no one had specifically organized or summarized, then turn them into medical books."

"The first of these three books is aimed at ordinary civilians. General physicians can read it, the entry threshold is low, it can be widely popularized, and its requirements for materials are not particularly demanding."

"Especially for things like diarrhea, dysentery, postpartum care for women, and the care of infants, it can greatly improve people's chances of survival, allowing more people to live and maintain their health."

"The second book is written for Spirit Masters. It covers medicinal herbs found in the wild, how to treat injuries, how to stabilize problems with one's Martial Soul, and how to handle injuries or poisoning inflicted by Spirit Beasts."

"The third book is written for the military. It records battlefield first-aid methods and ordinary treatment procedures, allowing armies to improve survival rates and reduce the proportion of permanent injuries."

At first, Qian Renxue had not paid much attention to Chen Ming's words, but later she came to understand just how weighty his resolve was.

The medical system in the Douluo World was poor. It could truly be said to rely heavily on the special abilities of Healing-type Spirit Masters. Yet Healing-type Spirit Masters were the rarest type among Support-type Spirit Masters, while Support-type Spirit Masters themselves were the rarest category among all Spirit Masters.

Healing-type Spirit Masters simply could not survive on their own. Because of their healing abilities, most were gathered up by major families, sects, empires, and noble households. Many small cities did not have a single Healing-type Spirit Master.

Under such circumstances, ordinary people could only endure their illnesses.

Only then, as Qian Renxue touched the spines of the books, did she feel their weight.

"On behalf of the civilians, Spirit Masters, and soldiers of the Heaven Dou Empire, I offer my thanks. After discussing the reward with my father, I will immediately present it to Viscount Chen. Such an act, benefiting the nation, the people, and all under heaven, is nearly unprecedented within the Heaven Dou Empire. It will surely affect the entire situation on Douluo Continent."

Qian Renxue rose to her feet, cupped her fists toward Chen Ming, and answered solemnly.

"This matter is of great importance. I must return to the palace immediately to report to my father. Please forgive me."

As Qian Renxue spoke, she placed the four books into her storage Soul Tool and prepared to leave. At that moment, Ye Renxin hurried over carrying a small package. Seeing the expression on "Xue Qinghe's" face, he understood that the two had spoken earlier.

Ye Renxin stepped forward, stuffed the small package in his arms into "Xue Qinghe's" hands, and said seriously, "Crown Prince, Little Ming organized these medical books out of a healer's benevolent heart. It is an act that benefits the nation, the people, and all the common folk under heaven. I ask that Your Highness and His Majesty do not disappoint him."

"I will certainly handle this matter properly. If anyone dares claim the credit or act against Senior or Viscount Chen, I will chop off his head." Qian Renxue answered earnestly, then glanced at the small package in her hands.

"Senior, what is this?"

"This is medicine prepared with Whale Rubber as the main ingredient. Since Your Highness is unwilling to let me examine your body, I can only prescribe this sort of medicine. Whether it has any effect after you take it, I ask that Your Highness let me know."

"Whale Rubber..." Qian Renxue had never eaten pork, but she had seen pigs run. Naturally, she knew what Whale Rubber was used for.

In this era, Whale Rubber's ability to strengthen a Spirit Master's body had not yet been discovered. At present, it had only one use: as an aphrodisiac. Qian Renxue was well aware of what kind of medicine could be made with Whale Rubber as its base.

For a moment, her previously surging emotions felt as though they had been cut off halfway through taking flight, leaving her so stifled that she could not speak.

No, why was this hurdle impossible for me to get past? Did I absolutely have to have that kind of preference?

The key was that I was a woman. I had no feelings for women! It wasn't as though I could ask someone else to do it for me!

Forget it, forget it. I'll just deal with it for now...

Qian Renxue awkwardly thanked Ye Renxin, then left Nine Heart Begonia Mansion.

Within the imperial palace of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Ye was choosing consorts when he heard that his Crown Prince had an urgent matter to report. Though annoyed, he knew that the Crown Prince was not someone who failed to distinguish priorities.

With no other choice, he gloomily straightened his clothes again before heading to his bedchamber to summon the Crown Prince.

When he saw Xue Qinghe, Xue Ye's first reaction was to wonder whether his Crown Prince truly had that sort of impotence problem. But as he listened to Qian Renxue's report, Xue Ye's expression gradually turned solemn, revealing some of the majesty expected of an emperor.

He took the medical books and began leafing through them. Seeing the simple yet detailed descriptions and the illustrations of various practical methods, he nodded repeatedly.

Even someone like him, with no medical knowledge, felt that he could learn by imitation and temporarily handle certain wounds and illnesses. If these books were widely spread, would not the entire Heaven Dou Empire undergo a tremendous transformation?

This Chen Ming truly was a pillar of the empire. Not only was his talent outstanding, but he could also produce methods so beneficial to the empire.

"Crown Prince, what do you think of Chen Ming?"

"Exceptionally gifted, a pillar of the empire." Perhaps because she had been repeatedly asked today whether she was lacking in vigor, Qian Renxue's first thought was unexpectedly of Chen Ming's physique and appearance. Only afterward did she realize what Xue Ye meant.

"Such a pillar of the empire cannot serve as an official at court, but we certainly cannot let him go so easily. Since he belongs to the younger generation, bring him into the Crown Prince's Mansion as an aide. Only then can I reward him without concern."