The Martial Doctor-Chapter 53: Attention from All Sides

Shanyuan Square, Ye Mansion.

"Young Master, Young Master, the physician examination written test rankings are out, you ranked fifth!"

"Fifth? Why only fifth? Where’s my father?" Ye Xizhao asked discontentedly.

As the young master of the Ye Family, naturally, he didn’t need to go to the Xinglin Institute to check the list himself.

"The Patriarch is at the Xinglin Institute, discussing the physician examination interviews with Lord Pei and others."

"I ask you, the Lin Miao from Baihe County I asked you to check, what rank did he get?" Ye Xizhao inquired.

The servant hesitated, lowering his head, afraid to speak.

"What rank, was he third from the bottom?" Ye Xizhao thought the servant was embarrassed to say, and couldn’t help but smile contemptuously.

"Young Master, the Lin Miao from Baihe County you mentioned, he ranked third!"

"Third from the bottom, not bad. That poor boy isn’t last, haha, the kid from the countryside..." Ye Xizhao wasn’t sure if he didn’t hear clearly or didn’t want to think in that direction, so he laughed heartily.

With such a rank, he’s totally unworthy of that beautiful senior sister of his. It seems I just need to put in a little effort, and she’ll be mine...

Just thinking about it excites me!

If he weren’t now grounded, he would have rushed over with people already.

"Young Master, it’s third, not third from the bottom!" The servant dared not refrain from correcting, for if Ye Xizhao realized he misheard, the punishment would be harsher.

Ye Xizhao’s laughter abruptly stopped.

His face turned beet red instantly, his handsome face twisted, he just appeared like a clown. If not at home, he feared he’d become a laughing stock.

"Get out, get out, get out of my sight..."

"Impossible, this is absolutely impossible. That country boy’s clothes are not even worth one of my shoes, how could he rank third..."

After Dong Hu and Zhao Wu died, the case was actually quite serious, but Ye Shengyuan suppressed it with his vast connections.

Besides knowing two people died in Dong Market, the public wasn’t aware of the deceased’s identities, thus, while rumors existed, they didn’t form significant public opinion.

As for the cause of death, the Arresting Department was still investigating, but no results were imminent.

Ye Shengyuan couldn’t find suitable guards for a while, so he grounded Ye Xizhao at home, preventing him from going out freely.

If it truly was targeting the Ye Family, then Dong Hu and Zhao Wu dying was of little consequence, but if his youngest son were lost, that would be unbearable.

Ye Shengyuan didn’t believe a country medical apprentice could kill his carefully selected Bone Forging Realm experts, it was very likely targeting the Ye Family.

Commerce is like war, the Ye Family is not only a medical family but also involved in business.

However, for his son’s sake, he especially paid attention to the boy named "Lin Miao" mentioned by his son, said to come from a small place, not even seventeen years old yet, and had come to Dongshan City to take the "physician" exam.

This is truly a case of newborn calves not fearing tigers.

If a seventeen-year-old physician, not saying never before in Da Li Dynasty’s history, it would be extremely rare, and if he actually passed.

It would make a significant mark in Dongshan Prefecture and even the whole Lanzhou’s history of physician exams.

He was the question setter for the written test, so he couldn’t participate in the grading process, nor interfere, because he also had medical apprentices on this occasion, his son included. As a master, any slight marking on the exam papers during grading would be recognizable.

Even copying under anonymity could achieve this, so, as a question setter, participating in grading was prohibited, eliminating the possibility of cheating.

When the scores came out, during ranking, he paid special attention. Besides his son, Ye Xizhao, he was surprised to find out the Lin Miao mentioned by his son ranked third in the written test.

Those ranked in the top ten in the written test naturally attracted attention from the Medical Bureau, even Lord Prefect, and all major medical establishments in Dongshan City.

This time, an inspector from the Li Jing Imperial Pharmacy was also involved.

Because typically, those who ultimately obtain the "physician" qualification come from the top ten, these individuals are sought after by major medical establishments.

Obtaining the "physician" qualification doesn’t mean immediately setting up a clinic; there’s a one-year guidance period needed.

Under the guidance of at least one junior physician for at least one year, reaching a certain number of consultations with a cure rate not below a certain percentage, only then can one become a formal "physician."

Matters involving human lives must be taken seriously, the Medical Bureau cannot endorse someone medically incompetent.

Quacks kill without a knife.

The strict entry system, however, made studying medicine a high-threshold profession, inadvertently raising the status and social standing of physicians.

Once becoming a formal "physician," one can choose to open a clinic or become a consulting physician.

Generally, young physicians don’t choose to open their own clinic first because, having just qualified, gaining trust and stable clients is quite difficult.

The older the physician, the more valuable they become.

Therefore, they go to major medical establishments, especially renowned ones, to gain experience, then after reaching a certain level, they strike out on their own.

That’s generally the route.

Why would someone allow you to gain experience and offer high rewards? This is a process of mutual achievement.

Through the "trial" process, once officially becoming a physician, the medical establishment will usually sign a ten-year contract with you, even when you first join, they’ll sign such an agreement, otherwise, why should they ensure you’ll pass the "trial" and become a formal physician?

It’s not that there aren’t other ways to obtain formal physician qualification, but it’s extremely difficult to achieve. In the past hundred years, no one has done it.

If one is outside the top ten, that’s easier to handle, just negotiate, offer some benefits, regardless if it’s a senior disciple sister, fiancée, or even a married wife, you can write a release letter.

What the son likes, as a father, he must strive to achieve for him.

In his view, that is a father’s responsibility.

But now it’s not possible. Lin Miao is not the only one being watched. If any tricks are played, it will surely draw others’ discontent.

Such talent, with a deceased mentor, is truly in a state of having nowhere to turn. As long as this kid performs well in the medical examination, even if he doesn’t pass, someone would be willing to take him on if he seeks another mentor.

The medical examination speaks to one’s true abilities.

The written test can be passed by rote memorization, and some even have photographic memory, but the medical examination tests your understanding and comprehensive judgment of medical knowledge.

This can’t be learned by rote memorization.

This year’s medical examination saw several dark horses emerge, partly due to the Xu Family’s intention of seeking a match; otherwise, there wouldn’t be so many young talents participating.

If age isn’t considered, Lin Miao isn’t the biggest dark horse; Ding Shouzhong, who ranked first in the written test, is. He’s also from a small place, a native of Yuntai County, with a mentor who is an obscure old physician. At twenty-five, this was his first time taking the medical examination and he took first in the written test, which is truly astonishing.

Then came Lin Miao. Of course, due to his young age, even though he ranked third, his potential is considered above Ding Shouzhong.

These are the dark horses in the top ten. Among the top forty, there are several young first-time participants as well.

This cohort’s results are outstanding.

And the battle during the medical examination phase is expected to be intense, with the previous passing standards likely to rise further.

Out of forty, only five will be selected, meaning only one out of every eight will pass. Such a low passing rate makes the medical examination harder than the provincial exam.

...

Cuiyun Pavilion.

Not the best tavern in Dongshan City, but it has its charm. The crucial point is that it’s close to the Xinglin Institute.

If one had to travel far for a meal, it wouldn’t be necessary. Besides, dining is not today’s main focus.

"Sanshui my dear brother, I’ve been to Cuiyun Pavilion twice. They have a fine roast chicken here and their Cuiyun brew. You and your wife must try it later." Su Chen cheerfully introduced.

It was evident that Su Chen was a carefree and unrestrained person.

"Mr. Su, you’ve arrived." The owner of Cuiyun Pavilion obviously recognized Su Chen, smiling so widely that the wrinkles on his face cracked.

A tavern frequented by the young master of the Su Family could instantly boost its prestige.

Everyone knows Mr. Su is a famous gourmet. Every delicacy and drink he has tried has been sought after by others.

A private room.

When Mr. Su dines, how could he sit with ordinary customers in the main hall? Naturally, he needs a quiet place.

Ordering dishes naturally fell to Su Chen. Lin Miao and Su Youwei hadn’t been here before, so they didn’t know what was good at Cuiyun Residence.

The three of them couldn’t eat that much. Su Chen ordered seven or eight dishes in one go, and if Lin Miao hadn’t raised his hand to stop him, he would have kept ordering.

It wasn’t about spending money; with Lin Miao’s current means, he could afford this table. But with just three people, they couldn’t finish it, and it would be a waste.

Throughout his previous and current lives, from childhood to adulthood, he was taught that waste is shameful.

"Sanshui my dear brother, having met you feels like connecting with a kindred spirit, please!"

"Mr. Su, you’re too kind. I should be thanking you for helping me in the Scripture Pavilion that day," Lin Miao raised his glass, referring to the encounter with Dong Hu and Zhao Wu. Su Chen wasn’t familiar with him then, yet when questioned by Dong and Zhao, he could have easily spoken up, but he chose not to.

"I just couldn’t stand their arrogance," Su Chen chuckled, "But Sanshui my dear brother, what kind of grudge exists between you and Ye Xizhao?"

"I have no enmity with him." Lin Miao glanced at Sun Youwei, not explaining further.

Su Chen understood instantly, knowing a bit about Ye Xizhao. Talented yet extremely lecherous, he took advantage of the Ye Family’s influence to behave recklessly in Dongshan City, regarded as a figure of mixed reputation.

"Come on, let’s not mention him; let’s just drink." Su Chen changed the topic. Lin Miao’s silence meant not exposing it, so Su Chen didn’t wish to embarrass a friend.

...

Baoan Hall of the Xu Family.

"Mr. An, look at this list." Xu Qixi, holding a list, burst into Mr. An’s consulting room.

"Is the list for this year’s medical examination out?" Mr. An chuckled, the exam was the current focus of attention.

"Yes, Xu Yao ranked sixth."

"Xu Yao sixth, not bad, not bad..." Mr. An stroked his beard, an expression of old man’s comfort on his face.

"Look at who’s third."

"Third?" Mr. An brought the list closer, "Lin Miao, what is it, Qixi girl?"

"Mr. An, do you remember the day of our written test we went to Xiuyue to see the Huaye Tower courtesan? Wasn’t the household she stayed with also named Lin? And wasn’t the host named Lin Miao?" Xu Qixi reminded.

"Right, Qixi girl, if you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have forgotten. Could this Lin Miao be the one we didn’t meet that day?"

"I think it’s very possible. He wasn’t home that day, and it was exactly the day of the medical examination written test. Could it be just a coincidence?"

"Yes, this is truly unexpected!" Mr. An nodded.

"Mr. An, do you know how old he is?" 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"How old?"

"Sixteen."

"How much?"

"Sixteen."

"Amazing, truly amazing..."