In turbulent times, a doctor is incredibly valuable, not only for curing typhoid fever and combating influenza.
Even during military campaigns, having sufficient doctors to ensure logistical support allows for the treatment of many minor injuries.
This allows soldiers tempered by war to quickly become veterans, and veterans who have seen blood are invaluable.
Why are there elite troops? Because they are experienced veterans. Their coordination, command, and combat skills are impeccable.
Having witnessed the fighting prowess of Sun Jian's troops—three thousand men holding off an attack by twenty thousand rebel soldiers, still managing to defend their position without collapsing—that's elite in this era!
To achieve anything in this era, a powerful army as a backup is the most important trump card, a trump card that can overturn the table.
Governing local areas is another different path, but regardless, the army is the last resort and therefore must be valued.
Compared to Lu Ming, Hua Tuo was greatly impressed. Throughout his journey, he could see that Lu Ming was a capable and efficient official.
Compared to those shameless scoundrels who occupy positions without contributing anything, Lu Ming was truly a paragon of virtue!
"My lord, you mustn't. Your benevolence saves the world; countless people have been spared from broken families and ruined homes because of you. As a physician, it is I who should thank you."
"Sir, you flatter me. An official who doesn't serve the people might as well go home and sell sweet potatoes. Come, sir, please have some tea." Lu Ming's smile was radiant. No matter how debauched he was, the propaganda made a difference; he had to be portrayed as a saint!
Simply being a good person wasn't enough; he had to be a saint!
So that if he were to change dynasties in the future, the people wouldn't complain or object.
"Now I govern Liangzhou. Internally, there's rampant plague, bandits causing chaos, and rebel armies entrenched. Externally, there are bandit cavalry. I'm truly helpless alone. Please, sir, lend me a hand!" Lu Ming repeatedly extended the invitation, striking while the iron was hot; now was the time to recruit Hua Tuo.
Hua Tuo couldn't refuse, mainly because Lu Ming was a man of action, which suited his tastes. "Saving lives is a physician's duty. I have another question, which I hope you will answer, sir."
"No problem, please speak, sir." Lu Ming nodded, his expression becoming serious. This was a test between ruler and subject. A ruler chooses his subjects, and subjects choose their ruler; they must find common ground before pledging allegiance.
"I wonder if you truly intend to establish a medical school, sir?" Hua Tuo was clearly concerned about this matter. It would allow him to train apprentices, pass on his medical skills, and leave a lasting legacy—a great thing that benefited the country and its people!
Hua Tuo wasn't fond of wealth or power.
However, the allure of fame and eternal glory remained irresistible! "Of course," Lu Ming said, not bothering to lie. "A promise is a promise." "Not only that," he continued, "I also plan to establish a primary school. Even laborers and merchants, as long as they are willing to learn, can come and study. In the future, the villages and towns will be maintained and managed by them. Liangzhou lacks people who get things done, not those who indulge in pleasure and idleness."
"Yuanhua greets my lord," Hua Tuo said, cupping his hands in greeting. He had been tricked into joining Lu Ming; if Lu Ming had deceived him, he would simply abandon his post and leave—there was no point in staying.
"A ruler chooses his ministers, and ministers choose their rulers; the incompetent are destined to have no one to serve them."
"Haha, good! With Yuanhua, I have gained ten thousand mighty soldiers!" Lu Ming immediately ordered wine and food to be prepared to welcome Hua Tuo.
After several rounds of drinks, Lu Ming saw Hua Tuo's information on the panel.
"Hua Tuo, courtesy name Yuanhua. A legendary physician of the Eastern Han Dynasty. Occupation: Divine Physician. Possesses skills in diagnosis, teaching, herbalism, and antibody production. Can treat anyone, accelerate recovery from illness and injury, and ensures that those he trains will graduate as medical masters. Herbal medicines gathered within his territory will not be mixed with poisonous herbs. He possesses disease antibodies and cannot contract diseases."
Upon reading this, Lu Ming stroked his chin, his expression somewhat excited.
Hua Tuo was indeed remarkable. His idea was to utilize Hua Tuo to train many physicians; their skills didn't need to be extremely advanced, just usable.
Why was Zhang Jiao able to create the Golden Age of Chaos? It was because he deeply resonated with the people. When plagues spread, famines and diseases raged, his ability to help the common people naturally garnered their support.
Half a month later, Lu Ming looked at the endless cement road winding around the foot of the mountain.
The road, carved through the mountains, stretched all the way to the border of the prefecture.
Although only thirty kilometers long, it was extremely convenient for transporting supplies and for travel.
Furthermore, Ma Jun and his Mohist disciples invented a waterwheel, making crop irrigation much easier and more time-efficient, and greatly facilitating everything from fetching water to other tasks.
Within half a month, many people were severely beaten.
It was simple: no one was allowed to drink raw water, not even water retrieved from wells; it had to be boiled and cooled before consumption.
The strict enforcement, coupled with the stable food supply, meant that even those with complaints dared not speak out, as they would be made public.
Then, they would become targets of public criticism. Someone who drank raw water and attempted to spread the plague would be lucky not to be beaten to death by their neighbors.
Besides, the mud-brick houses, though small, were enough to accommodate a family of three.
Even though they lacked proper clothing, they could apply for some thin garments. They could owe money on food, drink, and other necessities, repaying later.
Although it was a form of disaster relief, it made Lu Ming the benevolent ruler of these two hundred thousand people.
"Xiaozhi, that's basically it. Yuanhua, I'm sorry to trouble you to stay here for a while. Once the plague subsides, you can return to Didao. I will open an academy there, and you will be the dean of the medical school. Children and the elderly, you can choose whatever you like. I'm entrusting everything here to you two. Gongyi, you stay here. I'll give you ten thousand men. You must listen to the strategist and keep a close eye on Anding County for me." Lu Ming began making the final allocations. The most difficult part was only the beginning.
With the beginning done well, it was just a matter of time.
"Yes, my lord," the three replied.
Although there were still some areas in Anding County that needed consolidation and many places that needed clearing, and there might be plague outbreaks in some mountain villages, these things would have to be done slowly.
Moreover, in addition to this, they also had the task of construction, mainly repairing roads and paving cement roads. They would pave the main roads first, and then pave the passages between villages and county towns to ensure the smooth transfer of troops and supplies.