Chapter 129: The Three Academies of Youzhou

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Liu Yao could not help nodding in satisfaction after hearing this. He was equally pleased with You Province’s development over the past few years, and praised him, saying, “Gongyu, you have worked hard this past year. Without you, You Province would never have reached its present prosperity.”

“Thank you, my lord. I have merely done my duty,” Ju Shou replied modestly.

“Ahem.”

At that moment, a cough sounded from nearby. Liu Yao looked over and saw that it was none other than Cai Yong. The old scholar was gazing at him with an eager look.

Liu Yao could only smile wryly. How could he not know what his teacher was thinking? Throughout the journey, Cai Yong had brought up the matter of establishing an academy in You Province no fewer than a hundred times. Liu Yao’s ears were practically callused from hearing about it.

Cai Yong’s cough also drew the attention of everyone present. Apart from Guo Jia and the others who already knew him, Ju Shou and several others genuinely had no idea who this old man was. Yet he was seated in the first place on the left. Under everyone’s curious gazes, Cai Yong grew somewhat uncomfortable and shifted in his seat before finally feeling a little better.

“This gentleman is my teacher, Cai Yong, courtesy name Bojie. He is a great scholar of the Confucian world and also my future father-in-law,” Liu Yao introduced him to the assembly.

At the final words, even Liu Yao could not help blushing slightly.

Everyone was astonished. In this era, when Confucian scholars held great influence, Cai Yong’s reputation was truly illustrious. He was not only Liu Yao’s teacher but also his future father-in-law, which clearly demonstrated his standing in Liu Yao’s heart. No wonder Cai Yong had been given such a prominent seat.

“So this is the esteemed Master Cai. I am Ju Shou, a student, and I pay my respects,” Ju Shou said, performing a student’s salute.

“You are too kind!” Cai Yong replied casually, though he accepted the salute with evident satisfaction. Given his status, he was indeed worthy of such respect.

Liu Yao then introduced the four men seated at the far end. “This is Elder Hua, the divine physician of our age. It was he who cured Han Sheng’s son of his incurable illness.”

Hua Tuo bowed to everyone, and the others returned the gesture with clasped hands. After all, Hua Tuo was merely a physician and did not possess as lofty a position as Cai Yong.

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“Elder Hua, these are the military advisers under my command, Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai. They both suffer from certain health problems, so I shall have to trouble you to look after them afterward,” Liu Yao said.

He had not forgotten the ailments afflicting Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai.

Hua Tuo glanced casually at the two men. From their complexions alone, he could tell that something was wrong with their health—and it was certainly no minor matter. He immediately said respectfully, “My lord, leave it to me. I will do everything in my power to cure the military advisers.”

Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai were deeply moved by Liu Yao’s words. They had never expected him to remember their condition so clearly. Nor were they the sort to avoid medical treatment out of shame. Knowing that Liu Yao was acting out of concern for them, they promptly bowed to Hua Tuo.

“We shall have to trouble you, Elder Hua.”

“There is no need for such courtesy, gentlemen. This is merely my duty,” Hua Tuo replied casually.

Liu Yao then pointed to three others and introduced them. “This is Elder Ou, a descendant of the sword-forging grandmaster Ou Yezi. All the weapons and armor of You Province are under his supervision. These two are Elder Mo, heir to the Mohist tradition, and Ma Jun, heir to the Gongshu family. The future equipment of You Province shall depend on the two of them.”

The crowd was astonished once again. All three were descendants of famous figures. Although no one knew why Liu Yao had summoned them, they nevertheless saluted each of them in turn. Elder Ou, Elder Mo, and Ma Jun returned the salutes one by one.

Seeing this, Liu Yao spoke. “Everyone, the reason I summoned these men as well is that I intend to establish three institutions in You Province: a College of Letters, a Research Institute, and a Medical College.”

However, as soon as Liu Yao finished speaking, Chen Lin rose to his feet.

“My lord, the College of Letters is certainly a great undertaking, but as for the Medical College and the Research Institute, would that not be somewhat…” Chen Lin did not finish his sentence, but his meaning was obvious. In this Eastern Han era, physicians and craftsmen were indeed professions that received little respect.

Hua Tuo and the others darkened at Chen Lin’s words and looked toward Liu Yao expectantly.

Liu Yao glanced at Chen Lin and said with a smile, “Kongzhang, do not be hasty. Wait until I have finished speaking. I believe you will no longer object.”

Chen Lin nodded and sat down again, waiting for Liu Yao’s explanation.

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“As for the College of Letters, I believe no one here will object, so I shall leave that matter until the end.”

“Regarding the Medical College, some of you may believe that studying medicine is a lowly profession and therefore look down upon it. But I must tell you that there is no distinction between noble and humble occupations. Consider this: if there were no physicians, what would you do when you fell ill? Sit at home and wait to die? Naturally, that is impossible. Every day, countless people throughout the Great Han perish from epidemics and disease. This is precisely because physicians are not valued, resulting in a shortage of them.”

“Therefore, I intend to establish a Medical College under the leadership of the divine physician, Elder Hua. It will accept disciples on a broad scale, establish its own tradition, and train a large number of physicians for You Province. In this way, our people may be spared the torment of illness. I also intend to establish medical units within the army. Since ancient times, when a great army suffers losses, only about seventy percent of the dead are actually killed on the battlefield. The remaining thirty percent perish because they fail to receive timely treatment after the fighting. With medical units, we can greatly reduce the likelihood of such deaths and do our utmost to save the lives of our soldiers. Does anyone still object?”

Chen Lin was filled with shame. He clasped his fists and apologized. “The fault is mine. I offer my apologies to my lord and Elder Hua.”

“You are too kind!” Hua Tuo said, waving his hand, though he was inwardly thrilled. If no one opposed the proposal, then his lifelong dream could finally be realized.

Liu Yao continued, “The Research Institute will be established on similar principles. Elder Mo and Elder Ou will lead it, with Deheng assisting them. Its purpose will be to develop equipment for You Province.”

“As everyone knows, the reason the soldiers of our Charge Battalion and Trap-the-Enemy Battalion are so elite that they can defeat ten opponents—or even more—is not only our unique methods of training troops and Elder Hua’s Five Animal Exercise. More importantly, it is the steady stream of superior equipment at our disposal. Therefore, establishing this Research Institute is absolutely essential. Does anyone have any objections?”

The assembly once again shook their heads, indicating that they had none. Everyone knew how formidable You Province’s two elite battalions were, as well as how excellent their equipment was: repeating crossbows, cavalry lances, Mo sabers, stirrups, and those marvelous thousand-mile scopes. Each possessed a unique function, and together they had made the soldiers of You Province so powerful. Even ordinary soldiers from You Province were considerably more capable than elite troops from other regions.

Seeing that no one objected, Liu Yao nodded in satisfaction and smiled. “Since no one has any objections, the matters concerning the Research Institute and the Medical College are settled. Elder Mo, Elder Hua, and the rest of you will have to work hard in the days ahead.”

“Thank you, my lord!” the four men said hurriedly.

Had Liu Yao not overcome the opposition and persuaded everyone present, the two institutions might never have been established. Their lifelong ideals would then have remained exceedingly difficult to achieve.

Liu Yao waved his hand, and the four men understood at once, returning to their seats.