Chapter Four Hundred and Twenty Six. The Zhao House at this time.
When the ambition of the seventh prince Zhu Hejian was growing, Fang Ru was hosting a banquet for Liu Rui and Shaanxi famous doctor Zhang Decheng in the Zhao Mansion. ◇↓◇↓Novel.￥f
Zhang Decheng, one of the most famous doctors in this era, has been traveling among the people for many years to heal people. He is known as "the incense of thousands of families brings forth Buddhas" and has a very high reputation.
Over the years, Emperor Deqing recruited him three times to serve as imperial physician, but Zhang Decheng rejected him one after another, claiming that "compared to the palace dignitaries, the common people need their medical skills more", which can be said to have not given Emperor Deqing any face.
, However, Emperor Deqing paid attention to his reputation and image. Not only could he not be angry at Zhang Decheng's statements, but he also repeatedly issued decrees to commend him. This also made Zhang Decheng's reputation more and more prosperous, and he became the leader of the folk apricot forest.
Moreover, this Zhang Decheng seemed to "dislike the rich and love the poor". If poor people came to see him for medical treatment, he would not charge a penny for the diagnosis fee, and he would often give away medicinal materials. However, if businessmen and officials came to see him for treatment, it would often cost a lot of money.
Back then, a wealthy and ruthless Shanxi businessman asked Zhang Decheng to cure his infertility. Zhang Decheng took the opportunity to ask for a sky-high price. A prescription was sold for a sky-high price of 30,000 taels of silver. This incident caused an uproar among the government and the public.
It also triggered a lot of controversy.
According to Zhang Decheng, the so-called human lives are of equal value but not equal value. If a poor person has no money, he will naturally take nothing. However, if a rich person has a lot of money and thinks he is superior to others, he will naturally need to pay more money if he wants to treat a disease.
For example, the Shanxi merchant exchanged 30,000 taels of silver for the inheritance of incense and descendants, but it cannot be said that he suffered a loss.
At first, because her brother Liu Zimin had taken refuge with Zhao Junchen, Liu Rui temporarily lived in Zhao Junchen's house, and was entrusted by Zhao Junchen to take care of the blind girl Xi'er. Not long after, Liu Rui felt sorry for Xi'er's tragic fate.
He also heard that there was a famous doctor named Zhang Decheng in Shaanxi who could cure all kinds of diseases, so he borrowed a sum of money from Zhao Junchen and took Xiaer to Shaanxi to find Zhang Decheng to treat eye diseases.
At that time, Fang Ru was in charge of managing the accounting room of the Zhao family, and actually gave Liu Rui a huge sum of two hundred thousand taels of silver in one go.
In addition to using the money to treat Xi'er's eye disease, Fang Ru also asked Liu Rui to ask Zhang Decheng for a prescription for raising children, thinking of Zhang Decheng's precedent of treating infertility.
After all, to this day, Zhao Junchen's marriage is inevitable. I don't know when he will marry a lady from a wealthy family and become the hostess of the house. In order to ensure her status in Zhao Junchen's heart, Fang Ru is eager to give birth to Zhao Junchen.
They have a son and a half daughter. However, Fang Ru can be said to be the favorite of the special family in the Zhao family, but there has been no movement in her stomach. Fang Ru is naturally anxious about this.
Originally, it was just a prescription for seeking a child, and it did not require so much money. However, Zhang Decheng's temperament of "disgusting the rich and loving the poor" was well-known, and Zhao Junchen's reputation as a corrupt official was also spread throughout the world. No one wanted to
Knowing whether Zhang Decheng would take advantage of the situation, Fang Ru gritted her teeth and let out blood, and gave Liu Rui a huge sum of two hundred thousand taels of silver.
Fang Ru's approach was almost blind, but when Zhao Junchen found out, he just sighed, but didn't say anything, and just let Fang Ru make the decision.
However, no one expected that Liu Rui would spend nearly half a year searching for Zhang Decheng this time.
When she came back, although she didn't get a prescription, she did invite Zhang Decheng himself.
Although Zhang Decheng was just a commoner, he had a very high reputation and was Fang Ru's hope for getting pregnant and having a child. Fang Ru naturally did not dare to neglect Zhang Decheng.
When she got the news, Fang Ru immediately put down what she was doing. She hurried back to the Zhao Mansion, prepared the best banquet, and entertained Liu Rui and the famous doctor Zhang Decheng with the highest courtesy.
At the banquet, while Fang Ru kept complimenting Zhang Decheng, she also secretly looked at him.
I saw that Zhang Decheng was an old man in his fifties. He was dressed simply, had an ordinary appearance, was thin and slightly stooped, but had a plain expression and a calm and leisurely temperament that made people dare not underestimate him.
After a few compliments, Fang Ru said with a smile: "Originally, I just asked Sister Liu Rui to ask Divine Doctor Zhang for a prescription, but I didn't expect that Sister Liu Rui would actually invite Divine Doctor Zhang here in person. It really surprised me.
Everyone in the Zhao family is full of glory and feel honored."
Zhang Decheng smiled calmly and said: "I heard from Miss Liu that Madam and Mr. Zhao are in good health, but they have been childless for many years, so they wanted to ask Zhang for a prescription for fertility, so they spared no effort to give tens of thousands of taels of silver. Zhang also loves money."
, agreed to the matter, but Zhang was always cautious and never dared to deal with patients. He had not personally diagnosed the health of Madam and Mr. Zhao, so naturally he did not dare to make a prescription easily, otherwise the prescription would not work and it would damage Zhang’s reputation.
There are disadvantages, so I came to the capital in person."
After a pause, Zhang Decheng looked at Fang Ru and said: "In addition, Zhang has a rule for treating diseases, which is to collect consultation fees based on the patient's wealth and reputation. Among them, if the patient is penniless,
After Zhang’s diagnosis, he took no money and even subsidized the cost of medicine. If a rich and powerful person came to Zhang for treatment, my consultation fee would not be cheap. In addition, the patient’s character and reputation are also very important.
If you are a businessman or a corrupt official who harms the people, my medical fee will increase more than ten times."
Hearing what Zhang Decheng said, Fang Ru gradually looked a little embarrassed.
After all, Zhao Junchen's reputation is really quite tarnished.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Decheng suddenly changed the topic and said: "However, precisely because of this, I feel a little embarrassed about Mr. Zhao's medical fee, because Mr. Zhao's reputation among the people is somewhat mixed. Some people say that Mr. Zhao
Your Excellency is the most corrupt official in our dynasty. He only knows how to take bribes, flatter His Majesty, frame up loyal and good people, and form cliques for personal gain. However, some people say that Mr. Zhao is a capable minister who personally fights locust plagues. He often gives out money to help the victims and works for the people of the court.
In addition, Miss Liu and the blind girl named Xi'er also had many words of praise and defense for Mr. Zhao, so Zhang came to Beijing in person this time to confirm Mr. Zhao's character, otherwise Zhang
It’s also impossible to determine the amount of the consultation fee.”
After hearing Zhang Decheng's words, Fang Ru's eyes flashed with joy.
The reason why Fang Ru felt happy was not because Zhang Decheng might charge less medical fees. In order to conceive a child for Zhao Junchen, Fang Ru was willing to pay more medical fees.
What really makes Fang Ru happy is that after Zhao Junchen's unremitting efforts, Zhao Junchen's reputation among the people has finally turned around, which can be seen from Zhang Decheng's evaluation
As long as this trend continues, Zhao Junchen's reputation will undergo a fundamental change sooner or later. At that time, Zhao Junchen will have one less hidden danger.
Thinking of this, Fang Ru couldn't help but feel a little relieved, and her smile became even brighter. After complimenting Zhang Decheng again, she turned to Liu Rui and said, "Thank you so much, Sister Liu. If it weren't for your kind words, maybe Doctor Zhang would also
I won’t come to the capital in person. By the way, the blind girl Xia’er’s eye disease has been cured. Why did it take you so long to return to the capital? I haven’t heard from you for nearly half a year, but what happened on the way?”
Because she was in a good mood and Zhang Decheng mentioned it, Fang Ru finally thought of Liu Rui and the blind girl Xi'er.
Before that, Fang Ru just complimented Zhang Decheng blindly and almost didn't notice Liu Rui's presence.
Liu Rui originally just sat aside and said nothing, as reserved and low-key as ever. After hearing Fang Ru's question, she softly replied: "Doctor Zhang's medical skills are superb. Xi'er's eye disease has gradually improved, and now he can be cured."
I barely managed to see something. Xia'er and I had a smooth journey and didn't encounter anything. But after we arrived in Shaanxi, we discovered that Dr. Zhang was wandering among the people and was elusive, so it took a long time to find him. So there was a delay.
It took some time.”
Seeing Liu Rui's gentle look, Fang Ru suddenly felt something in her heart.
After Zhao Junchen gets married, there will be a new mistress in the Zhao mansion. At that time, Fang Ru will be just a concubine at best. Whether it is Su Xiuning, the daughter of Su Changzhen, the governor of Southern Zhili, or Chen, the Duke of Jing State
You's daughter Chen Zhirong, or Cui Qianxue, the granddaughter of the former Cui Mian, are both of noble birth and both talented and beautiful. No matter who Zhao Junchen ends up marrying, Fang Ru will feel a great threat.
Therefore, Fang Ru sometimes wants to find someone to help her and consolidate her favor.
At this time, after seeing Liu Rui, Fang Ru suddenly realized that Liu Rui was the best candidate.
First of all, Liu Rui's elder brother Liu Zimin is Zhao Junchen's disciple, so Liu Rui can be considered one of his own. He is very reliable.
Secondly, Liu Rui and Fang Ru are also acquaintances. With a little win-over, they can form an alliance and advance and retreat together.
Finally, Liu Rui has a gentle personality, quite submissive, has no ambition to win favor, and is easily controlled by Fang Ru.
Thinking of this, Fang Ru thought secretly: "Speaking of which, Master, he has not touched any other woman except me in the past year. All the original concubines in the house have been dismissed. Although this is excellent,
But after the master married the main wife, the main wife and I formed a situation of two tigers fighting each other. No matter who the master married in the end, the main wife was from everyone, had outstanding talent and appearance, and had a wife.
Although the master and I have a deep relationship, it is difficult to compete with her for status. How about adding a concubine for the master, advancing and retreating with me, helping me win favor, and resisting the threat of the main wife together?
"
Such thoughts flashed through Fang Ru's mind.
But in the blink of an eye, Fang Ru was pressed deep into her heart again.
After all, Fang Ru is not a "good wife" in the traditional sense. She is quite doting and jealous, so it is difficult for her to take the initiative to find a woman for Zhao Junchen.
If it weren't for the fact that Zhao Junchen was about to marry his first wife, which made Fang Ru feel extremely threatened, such an idea would never have occurred. Fang Ru would only wish that all women in the world would stay away from Zhao Junchen.
However, after such an idea came to mind, Fang Ru finally paid more attention to Liu Rui and became more enthusiastic, vaguely trying to win her over. She also introduced Liu Rui to Liu Rui in detail about various changes in the capital in the past six months, such as
This is the current situation of Liu Rui's brother Liu Zimin.
However, after learning that Liu Zimin had obtained the title of Jinshi and was well regarded by Zhao Junchen's disciples, Liu Rui was not only not too happy, but sighed softly.
After all, although the Liu family was in decline, the ancestors of the family were also from a clean background. Liu Rui was very opposed to Liu Zimin's self-destruction and surrender to Zhao Junchen, but he could not disobey Liu Zimin's attitude.
Half a year ago, Liu Rui took Xi'er to Shaanxi for treatment of eye diseases. Although she felt pity for Xi'er's miserable situation, she also wanted to escape reality.
Now, seeing her brother Liu Zimin sinking deeper and deeper into the situation, Liu Rui naturally felt complicated, but she had no choice but to accept it all silently as before.
ps: Thank you for your birthday wishes, and thank you for still paying attention to this book. You are the motivation for Bugs to persevere.