Chapter 48: The Futility of Studying Medicine

Lu Wenyong’s face darkened. Although he was surprised that Shen Xuan possessed medical skills, and seeing An Changming’s confident demeanor, it was clear the latter had exceptional talent. Yet this old man dared to claim that Shen Xuan coming to their Taiping Academy was a waste of time!

“What do you mean by that, An Changming?” Lu Wenyong furrowed his brows and asked coldly.

“Brother Wenyong, I never said the Taiping Academy was bad. You simply don’t understand Shen Xuan’s talent in pharmacology,” An Changming quickly corrected himself as he saw the displeasure on Lu Wenyong’s face.

“Perhaps Shen Xuan truly has a gift in medicine, but healing people cannot save the world. With his talents, he should come to our Taiping Academy to learn the knowledge of creating peace,” Lu Wenyong said firmly, leaving no room for argument.

“What do you mean medicine can’t save the world? You expect to learn your lofty principles and cure patients with words?” An Changming’s eyes sharpened, his anger rising as he retorted fiercely.

“Medicine can only save a limited number of people. But if he comes to our Taiping Academy, he will be saving the world!” Lu Wenyong stood his ground with unwavering confidence.

“You…” An Changming was momentarily speechless. He suddenly recalled that the man before him was a widely recognized great scholar. No matter how much he argued, he wasn’t a match for Lu Wenyong’s eloquence. Speaking further would only cause more trouble, so An Changming resorted to a shameless tactic.

“I won’t argue with you. Regardless, Shen Xuan must come to our Imperial Medical Institute.”

“An illegitimate son can’t be involved in strategies!” Lu Wenyong’s face darkened until it seemed to drip with anger. He pointed at An Changming and cursed vehemently. Now he finally understood the phrase “a scholar meets a soldier; reason cannot be explained.”

“Hmph!” An Changming snorted coldly and turned his back to Lu Wenyong.

“An Changming! Have you no shame? If you don’t behave, I swear I’ll report you to His Majesty!” Lu Wenyong no longer bothered to be polite. If this old fellow refused to speak reasonably, then so be it. He wasn’t called “Lu the Rogue” for nothing.

Hearing this, An Changming panicked and turned around, snapping irritably.

“Lu Wenyong, I warn you, don’t mistake trifles for authority. Don’t think just because His Majesty favors you, you can act recklessly.”

“Enough nonsense! Tell me plainly, will you yield the person or not?” Lu Wenyong flicked his sleeve and sneered.

An Changming’s face turned ashen, on the verge of exploding. Shen Xuan, watching the two elders about to come to blows over him, hurried forward to intervene.

Grandpa Qin, sitting beside him and watching the scene, quickly pulled him back and whispered, “What are you trying to do?”

“Grandpa? They’re…” Shen Xuan hesitated. What else could he do but break up the fight? Otherwise, wouldn’t he just be badmouthing them behind their backs?

“Ah, Xuan’er, just keep your heart calm. Look at who they are: one a renowned Confucian scholar, the other the director of the Imperial Medical Institute. They’re respectable men. At most, they’re just arguing loudly. Unlike your grandfather, they can’t afford to lose face,” Grandpa Qin smiled and waved his hand.

Shen Xuan’s lips twitched as he murmured inwardly, “So at the tavern earlier, you really did consider fighting, huh?”

While Shen Xuan’s thoughts wandered, An Changming bit his lip and stubbornly declared, “No! Even if you go to His Majesty and plead until the sky falls, I won’t allow that person to come!”

Lu Wenyong frowned. He had thought invoking His Majesty would intimidate An Changming, but judging by this, Shen Xuan’s talent in medicine must indeed be exceptional. Otherwise, An Changming wouldn’t be behaving as if ready to risk his life over this.

Though Lu Wenyong was no expert in medicine, he was well acquainted with An Changming, who was an authority in this field, one of the few in all of Great Qian who could rival him.

But to trouble His Majesty over such a trivial matter was beneath Lu Wenyong’s dignity. After a moment’s thought, he asked An Changming, “Brother Changming, if you so admire Shen Xuan, you must know that coming to our Taiping Academy is the best choice. You surely understand how this benefits Shen’s future.”

Grandpa Qin, watching this exchange, nearly laughed aloud and whispered to Shen Xuan, “Look at this old fellow, even playing the sentimental card. Truly shameless.”

Shen Xuan’s expression was awkward. What could he say now? Whatever he said felt inappropriate.

These two were fighting over him. If he didn’t step forward to stop them, fine; but he couldn’t just stand by and speak ill of them either.

“Xuan’er, be honest with me. Do you want to go to the Imperial Medical Institute, or the Taiping Academy?”

When Shen Xuan didn’t respond, Grandpa Qin wasn’t surprised and asked again.

Shen Xuan gave a helpless smile. Could he honestly say he didn’t want to go to either?

An Changming, though thinking Lu Wenyong’s argument had merit, was unconvinced and said bluntly, “Your Taiping Academy’s reputation is indeed widespread and can greatly benefit Shen’s official career.”

Lu Wenyong’s lips curled slightly, believing the matter was nearly settled. But An Changming’s next words darkened his expression once more.

“But! Our Imperial Medical Institute is no less. If necessary, I’ll personally go to His Majesty and seek an official position for Shen Xuan.”

“An, are you endless? Why can’t you understand this reasoning?” Lu Wenyong jabbed a finger at An Changming’s nose.

“I’ll say it once more: Shen Xuan must come to our Imperial Medical Institute.”

An Changming refused to yield and issued his final ultimatum.

Before Lu Wenyong could reply, An Changming turned and left, leaving only these words behind:

“Shen Xuan, don’t forget the assessment at the Imperial Medical Institute in a few days. If Lu Wenyong refuses you, I will personally argue your case.”

He had to leave or risk losing control and fighting Lu Wenyong right there.

“Look at his attitude!” Lu Wenyong complained bitterly to Shen Xuan and his grandfather after An Changming left the private room.

“Enough, enough. You old fellow, don’t be so angry. Do you think your tone just now was any better?” Grandpa Qin snorted disdainfully.

“What’s wrong with me? Everything I said is reasonable!” Lu Wenyong plopped down and took a long gulp of tea.

“Shen Xuan, don’t worry about An Changming. In three days, a new batch of students will join the academy. You won’t need to take any assessment—just report directly.”

After calming himself, Lu Wenyong said this directly to Shen Xuan.