Although Zhu Yuanzhang was affected by a negative status and obsessed with cricket fighting, he was still the same man. In his heart, certain matters still took precedence over fighting crickets.
Hearing this, he asked, "What did they say?"
Zhu Biao did not answer, but looked toward Yunqi beside them.
Only then did Zhu Yuanzhang remember that Zhu Biao had spoken of a "private report," which meant the two renowned physicians' explanation of "anatomy" was probably unsuitable for public discussion. He therefore motioned for Yunqi to leave the side hall. (The preceding text has been revised.)
Zhu Biao approached the imperial desk before speaking. "Father, these two physicians are both master surgeons from among the common people, also known as ulcer physicians."
As early as the Zhou Dynasty, China had classified physicians according to the ailments they studied and excelled at treating. By the Northern Song, there were nine specialties, and by the Yuan Dynasty, as many as thirteen. Many of Great Ming's current institutions were inherited from the Song and Yuan, and its medical specialties included fields related to surgery, such as sores and ulcers, bone-setting, and arrow wounds.
During the Southern Song, the renowned physician Chen Ziming had also compiled Essentials of Surgery, which recorded treatments for ailments such as sores and ulcers, fractures, and weapon wounds. Later physicians called it the Surgical Treasure Mirror.
Thus, Zhu Biao used the words "master surgeons" not only because that mysterious proposal mentioned "surgery," but also because the term already existed in Great Ming at this time.
"They said anatomy should be related to surgery-diagnosing many surgical conditions primarily involves examining flesh, sinews, and bones. Treating certain conditions even requires cutting open a person's skin and flesh with a sharp blade before the diseased tissue can be excised and the rotten flesh removed so that healthy flesh can grow."
"And the meaning of 'dissection' is clear: it must mean separating and cutting open, so..." Zhu Biao hesitated here, but then gritted his teeth and continued, "So anatomy most likely refers to the study of dissecting the human body!"
The study of dissecting the human body?!
Even though Zhu Yuanzhang was an emperor who had fought his way out of the chaos of the Late Yuan and witnessed countless mountains of corpses and seas of blood, those words still made his scalp prickle and stirred a sense of revulsion.
He frowned and asked, "Do they mean that studying this subject requires dissecting human bodies?"
Zhu Biao nodded. "That was indeed what both of them meant."
"Tell me about these two men in detail."
Since Zhu Biao was responsible for gathering renowned physicians to establish the Medical Academy, he had naturally looked into the backgrounds of those who had come to the capital.
At this, he said, "One is Daoist Master Zhao Yizhen of the Purple Sun Temple in Jiangxi. He is a descendant of Dezhao, the Song Dynasty's Prince of Yan. He comes from a scholarly family, and his father once served as magistrate of Anfu County in Jiangxi under the Mongol Yuan."
"When Daoist Master Zhao was young, he too hoped to enter government service through the imperial examinations. But his constitution was weak, and he fell ill while traveling to the examination and missed it. On his father's advice, he then cultivated the Dao to nourish his health while also studying medicine."
"Your son has spoken with Daoist Master Zhao several times. I found that he is not only well versed in all manner of Daoist classics and holds the teachings of the Complete Perfection, Pure Subtlety, and Pure Brightness schools, but also knows many Daoist medical arts and secret prescriptions for treating illness and saving lives. He has also written a medical text, Collected Tested Prescriptions for Surgery from Immortals."
"Daoist Master Zhao is already over seventy, yet upon hearing the news, he came to the capital of his own accord and registered with the Medical Academy as a physician, intending to help compile medical texts and a pharmacopoeia."
Zhu Yuanzhang said, "So it is that accomplished Daoist."
Zhu Yuanzhang had heard Celestial Master Zhang of Dragon-Tiger Mountain mention Zhao Yizhen before. However, he had mostly praised his Daoist arts and only briefly touched on his medical skills.
Zhu Biao continued, "The other is named Xia Quan. He is from Jiangyin, a renowned physician of Zhenjiang Prefecture, and is in his forties."
"Physician Xia is not only skilled in golden-needle acupuncture and moxibustion, but particularly excels in treating sores and ulcers and arrow wounds. Your son examined the surgical instruments he brought to the capital. There were more than a dozen kinds, each with its own specific use!"
"During the Late Yuan, someone suffered an open abdominal wound, and he actually stitched the man's belly closed and cured him!"
(The image above shows the surgical instruments buried with Xia Quan, a renowned Ming physician, excavated from his tomb in Jiangyin.)
Zhu Biao clearly admired Xia Quan's medical skills more, and his voice was quite excited as he recounted the man's achievements.
"According to information gathered by the Imperial Guard, Physician Xia also frequently treats poor commoners in his hometown free of charge, seeking nothing in return!"
Zhu Yuanzhang said, "From what you have told me, there seems to be nothing wrong with either man's character. Still, dissecting human bodies is too horrifying. Ordinary people would likely find it difficult to accept... Biao'er, what do you think?"
Zhu Biao said, "Your son also found it difficult to accept at first, but Physician Xia said that if human bodies could be dissected to closely examine the true nature of their flesh, sinews, bones, and internal organs, it would greatly benefit the development of surgery."
"Besides, studying anatomy does not require living people. The bodies of executed prisoners could be used. If they were the bodies of utterly irredeemable criminals, there should be even less criticism."
"Your son thought that surgery is often used to treat soldiers. If the bodies of irredeemable criminals could help advance it and allow fewer soldiers to die from sores, ulcers, and arrow wounds, then even if the court endured some criticism, it would be worthwhile."
"As the crown prince and future emperor of Great Ming, you should indeed give more consideration to the soldiers." Zhu Yuanzhang first affirmed Zhu Biao's thinking, then suddenly asked, "From what you have said, that Xia Quan is quite supportive of developing anatomy?"
Zhu Biao nodded. "Physician Xia did say that if the court needed someone to study anatomy, he was willing to lead the way and take on the assignment."
Zhu Yuanzhang was somewhat surprised, then remarked, "This man is worthy. When the Medical Academy's academicians, professors, and doctors are selected, he can be placed one rank higher."
Zhu Biao said, "Your son originally thought the same, but Physician Xia's medical skills already qualify him to be a professor. One rank higher would make him an academician."
"In your son's recent deliberations, the Medical Academy's academician, professor, and doctor titles should be honorary designations rather than official posts. Moreover, the first group to receive the title of academician will number no more than five."
"That group will also include Director Dai and Imperial Physician Xiao. If Physician Xia joins them, he will likely attract considerable attention. If he is to undertake the study of anatomy, it would be better not to draw too many eyes."
"Thus, your son thought it would suffice to name him a professor for now. Once his research into anatomy produces results, we can then naturally appoint him an academician and give him the recognition he deserves."
After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang stroked his beard and smiled in satisfaction. "Biao'er, you have thought this matter through very thoroughly. Proceed exactly as you have proposed."
Zhu Biao was pleased to have his ideas affirmed by Zhu Yuanzhang. Cupping his hands, he said, "Thank you for your approval, Father. If there is nothing else, your son will take his leave."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, then reminded him, "Keep a close eye on the microscope research."
"Your son understands."
Having said this, Zhu Biao was about to withdraw, but Zhu Yuanzhang called him back. "Biao'er, why not stay and fight crickets with me for a while?"
At this, Zhu Biao finally could not hold back and admonished him. "Father, although your son does not know why you have suddenly become fond of cricket fighting, you are, after all, the ruler of all under heaven. Every day, countless military and governmental affairs await your decision. It would be better not to become absorbed in this pastime."
Zhu Yuanzhang fully agreed with Zhu Biao's admonition, but as both father and emperor, he could not swallow the loss of face. He could not help scolding him irritably. "You little brat, now you're lecturing your father?"
"I toiled for more than half my life and finally managed to establish Great Ming and become emperor. Can't I enjoy myself a little?"
Zhu Biao smiled wryly. "Father, that is not what your son meant. I merely feel that you should not become too absorbed in cricket fighting."
"Enough, enough. I know where to draw the line. Hurry up and get back to your Eastern Side Hall!" Zhu Yuanzhang waved impatiently.
Seeing this, Zhu Biao could only leave with a wry smile.
After Zhu Biao left, Zhu Yuanzhang gritted his teeth, moved the cricket cages aside, and covered them with a black cloth. He sat back down at the imperial desk and tried to concentrate on reviewing memorials.
But whenever he heard the crickets chirping, he could not resist wanting to fight them. Gritting his teeth again, he said, "Yunqi, take those crickets farther away... put them in the Eastern Side Hall for now!"
Yunqi was inwardly amused, but answered aloud, "Yes."
In the blink of an eye, the sixth month of the tenth year of Hongwu arrived.
The matter of "summoning renowned physicians from across the realm to the capital," which had been hotly debated at court and among the people since the second month, had also reached a definite outcome.
The court established the Medical Academy to oversee medical education and research throughout Great Ming. It was a fourth-rank government office subordinate to the Imperial Medical Academy.
Under it, thirteen specialty institutes were established according to the thirteen fields, including internal medicine, cold-damage disorders, women's medicine, and pediatrics, each dedicated to medical study and education in its own specialty.
There would be one academy director of the Principal Fourth Rank, two deputy directors of the Subordinate Fourth Rank, two clerk directors of the Subordinate Eighth and Subordinate Ninth Ranks respectively, and a dozen or so authorized clerical posts.
By the seventh day of the sixth month, thirty-seven renowned physicians had registered with the Medical Academy.
Following deliberations among the renowned physicians and a ruling by Crown Prince Zhu Biao, it was ultimately decided to confer the title of academician on five renowned physicians: Dai Sigong, Xiao Jiuxian, Lou Ying, Hua Shou, and Ni Weide.
Fifteen men, including Zhao Yizhen and Xia Quan, received the title of professor, while the remaining seventeen renowned physicians all received the title of doctor.
Through recommendations from the academicians, professors, and doctors, seventy-two young physicians between the ages of twenty and thirty were recruited from various regions as the Medical Academy's first group of graduate students.
Medicine graduate students held no official titles, but during their studies at the Medical Academy, the court would provide monthly stipends of money and grain on the same terms as students of the Imperial College.
At the same time, medicine schools would be opened in every prefectural and subprefectural seat in Zhili, as well as at the seat of each Provincial Administration Commission, admitting medical students between eight and sixteen years old to study medicine free of charge.
When this series of detailed policies concerning the Medical Academy and medicine schools became public, it naturally sparked another wave of lively discussion among the people.
Yet few noticed that during this period, Zhu Yuanzhang had also issued another decree: to build the Treasure Shipyard at Three-Fork River in Xiaguan, outside the capital, Jinling!