Birth, ageing, illness, and death are the common lot of mankind. No one can escape them.
Jin Feng’s own medical knowledge was limited. Old Tan, who currently ran the clinic, had formerly been nothing more than a herb-gatherer from the hills. His medical skill was probably not even equal to Jin Feng’s.
Wei Wuya, on the other hand, was utterly reliable both in medical ability and in character. If he could be persuaded to stay and take charge of the clinic, he would be the perfect choice.
Ever since Zhou Jin mentioned that Wei Wuya had not left Xihe Bay, Jin Feng had been thinking about how to keep him permanently.
“To be honest with Doctor Wei, that old gentleman did tell me how to make a microscope. Unfortunately, because of insufficient materials, I have never succeeded. I only managed to produce an inferior version that magnifies things two or three times at most.”
Jin Feng put on a helpless expression.
“Really? May this old man have a look?”
Wei Wuya felt an unbearable itch in his heart.
“Of course.”
Jin Feng turned to Zhou Jin. “Little Jin, go to the laboratory and fetch the lens from my desk.”
“Yes!” Zhou Jin dashed off and soon returned carrying a transparent lens.
Glass had not yet been produced. Earlier, Jin Feng had found several large pieces of natural rock crystal in the storehouse and ground them into concave and convex lenses of different sizes, hoping to make a telescope first.
The experiment failed, and no more crystal could be found, so he had shelved the plan and decided to produce glass first.
Two of the crystal lenses could serve as magnifying glasses, so he kept them on his desk for occasional use.
The one Zhou Jin brought was one of those.
Jin Feng took the magnifying glass, held it over a brush on the table, and slowly moved it back.
The chopstick-thick brush handle instantly appeared as thick as a finger.
The crystal used for the magnifying glass was not very pure, and Jin Feng’s grinding technique was far from perfect.
Even the magnifying glasses sold for two yuan at roadside stalls in his previous life performed much better than the one in his hand.
Yet now, a princess of the realm and the most renowned doctor in the prefectural city both looked as if they were beholding a priceless treasure.
“It truly is a treasure. It really became bigger!”
Wei Wuya clapped excitedly. “Mister, may I try?”
“Of course!” Jin Feng casually handed the lens over.
Wei Wuya received it carefully with both hands, then held the magnifying glass up, examining this and that, thoroughly enjoying himself.
Eventually even Ninth Princess could not resist and took it to play with for a while.
“Mister Jin, when do you think you will be able to make the kind of mirror that can see the tiny worms?”
Wei Wuya now completely believed Jin Feng’s words and was filled with eager anticipation for the promised microscope.
“If nothing else interferes, I intend to concentrate on it next,” Jin Feng said. “But the time is hard to predict. If all goes smoothly, perhaps half a month. If not, it might take one or two years.”
“Well…” Wei Wuya hesitated, then asked, “Mister Jin, would it be possible for me to remain in Xihe Bay?”
Jin Feng was inwardly delighted.
He had still been wondering how to keep Wei Wuya, yet before he even started persuading, the man had asked to stay of his own accord.
“If Doctor Wei wishes to stay, I naturally welcome you with open arms,” Jin Feng said. “May I ask whether you plan to remain permanently or only for a short while?”
“If Mister agrees, I would like to settle in Xihe Bay permanently. I could witness the microscope when it is finished, see those worms invisible to the naked eye, and at the same time learn surgical medicine from Mister.”
Wei Wuya replied.
Everyone has their own pursuit. Wei Wuya’s was medicine.
Yet within Guangyuan his skill was already considered the pinnacle. Further progress was extremely difficult.
Ever since hearing Zhou Jin speak of surgical medicine in Xihe Bay, he had felt suddenly enlightened.
Thus he decided to stay.
For Wei Wuya, it made no difference where he practised medicine.
Jin Feng had been worried that Wei Wuya might leave, never realising that Wei Wuya himself feared Jin Feng might not want to keep him.
Now that everything was out in the open, both men were overjoyed.
“Then let us advance together!”
Jin Feng was delighted. “Da Liu, hurry back and tell Xiaorou that after she finishes preparing rooms for Her Highness, she should clear the front courtyard for Doctor Wei.”
“There is no need for such trouble, Mister. This clinic already has two empty rooms, and the kitchen and lavatory are all complete. I can live right here.”
Wei Wuya waved his hand.
“That will not do,” Jin Feng said. “If Doctor Wei intends to settle permanently in Xihe Bay, you will surely want to bring your family here eventually. How could two rooms be enough?”
“My sons and daughters are all married. Only my old wife and one old concubine remain at home. Two rooms are plenty.”
Wei Wuya continued, “Besides, I am a physician. Where should a physician live if not at his clinic?”
“Since Mister insists, I will not force the issue. Please bear with the inconvenience for now. Once the new clinic is built, you can move there,” Jin Feng said.
As Xihe Bay’s population grew, so would the number of illnesses. Xie Guang’s small courtyard would soon become insufficient.
Jin Feng had long planned to build a proper new clinic, but he had never found the time or energy.
Now that Wei Wuya had arrived, the matter had to be moved to the top of the list.
“That will naturally be as Mister arranges.”
Wei Wuya raised no objection.
“Congratulations, Mister Jin, on gaining another capable helper.”
Ninth Princess stepped forward with a smile. “And my best wishes to Doctor Wei that his wish be fulfilled, that his medical skill advances further, and that he continues to save lives and heal the suffering for the common people.”
A faint note of envy coloured her tone.
The status of princess was indeed exalted, yet it came with far too many constraints.
Though she had been in Xihe Bay only a short while, Ninth Princess had already grown fond of the village’s atmosphere.
If she could, she too would like to stay.
Unfortunately, she was a princess and could not be as free as Wei Wuya.
While they talked, the sky, overcast all afternoon, began to rain again.
At first it was only a light drizzle, but soon it grew heavier and heavier.
“Whoever poked a hole in the Heavenly River must be at it again. This year’s rainfall is simply too much.”
Wei Wuya gazed at the curtain of rain outside the door and sighed helplessly.
“Indeed. If the heavens keep this up for a few more days, next year’s harvest will surely fail.”
Jin Feng sighed as well.
With his current position, even three years of famine would not leave him short of food and drink.
Yet Jin Feng still worried for the common people.
Taxes were already crushing. Another failed harvest would drive the populace to the brink of death.
Only, with Ninth Princess present, Jin Feng could not openly criticise the court.
With her intelligence, Ninth Princess naturally understood the implication behind his words. She instinctively wanted to offer a few words in defence of the court, yet when she opened her mouth she found nothing to say.
Continuous tax increases were precisely how the court oppressed the people. How could that be defended?
In truth, ever since noticing the rising water level of the Jialing River a few days ago, Ninth Princess had been anxious and searching for solutions.
Suddenly, something occurred to her. She turned to Jin Feng. “That immortal-like old gentleman, did he ever speak to Mister about farming matters?”
