Chapter 247: Chapter 106: Spring Exam Slots_2
"I’d like to take part in the Imperial Medical Bureau spring exam this year," Lu Tong looked at him.
Dong Lin was stunned.
As the name suggests, all the participants in the Imperial Medical Bureau’s spring exam are students from the Imperial Medical Bureau. The students capable of studying at the Imperial Medical Bureau also mostly come from families with connections; if not high-class aristocrats, then at least descendants of minor officials.
Indeed, to demonstrate fairness, every year the Imperial Medical Bureau admits a few commoner doctors who are not students there for the spring exam. These doctors usually have many years of experience and are highly trusted for their medical skills in Shengjing. The Hanlin Medical Institute grants these doctors the chance to take part in the spring exam, potentially allowing them entry into the Hanlin Medical Institute.
But... Lu Tong taking the spring exam?
Dong Lin asked, puzzled, "Does Doctor Lu desire to enter the Hanlin Medical Institute?"
Lu Tong nodded.
Dong Lin was even more confused. Although the Hanlin Medical Institute did not exclude female medical officers, Lu Tong was doing well at the Renxin Medical Hall. Truly entering the Hanlin Medical Institute might appear more prestigious, but it was less free than operating outside. Moreover, most of the medical officers at the Hanlin Medical Institute were former students of the Imperial Medical Bureau, who generally looked down on "wild doctors" from outside the bureau. An outsider joining them would have to endure their bullying.
Furthermore...
Dong Lin looked at Lu Tong, not believing she could pass the Imperial Medical Bureau’s spring exam.
Although Lu Tong had saved his life and had recently saved Princess Wenjun and her daughter, her "Chun Shui Sheng" and "Xianxian" products were also selling extremely well in Shengjing. But the teachers at the Imperial Medical Bureau were all former medical officers from the Hanlin Medical Institute. Lu Tong hadn’t seriously studied orthodox medical science; how could she pass all nine subjects of the spring exam? At least in recent years, the number of recommended commoner doctors from the medical community who passed the spring exam could be counted on one hand.
"Why such a decision, Doctor Lu?" Dong Lin advised kindly, "Being a medical officer is just about having a bit more silver than working here. There are many more rules in the palace than outside. If Doctor Lu is short of silver, I could..."
"Young Master Dong," Lu Tong interrupted him, smiling at him, "When I first came to Shengjing, it was to uphold my master’s last wish to join the Hanlin Medical Institute..."
Dong Lin dazzled by her smile felt a burning sensation in his chest. Hearing her mention "master’s last wish" evoked his admiration and pity, and he could no longer voice his objections. He only tentatively asked, "Is there any way I can help with this matter?"
"I think, as the Minister of the Imperial Treasury, your position should have a good relationship with the medical community. If you could mention to them, adding me to this year’s list of recommended doctors for the exam..."
At these words, Dong Lin heaved a sigh of relief internally.
He had thought Lu Tong was asking for his help to manipulate the final results of the spring exam. Considering that the Liang Dynasty had tightened all of its examination procedures a few months earlier due to a contribution fraud case, no one dared take risks at this juncture. If Lu Tong had made such a request, it would have been difficult for him to agree. But her request was only for a chance to take the exam.
"How hard could it be?" Dong Lin laughed, "Every year, the names recommended by the medical community don’t even fill the list. It’s just a minor matter. Leave it to me, Doctor Lu."
Lu Tong’s face relaxed slightly, and she gratefully said, "In that case, thank you for your assistance, Young Master Dong."
Feeling like a hero in the presence of the woman he admired, Dong Lin was elated, even his voice becoming more spirited. After talking to Lu Tong for a while longer, it wasn’t until a patient came seeking medical attention and Lu Tong began to get busy that Dong Lin stood to leave, departing reluctantly.
Shopkeeper Du, who was cracking melon seeds behind the felt curtain, watched Dong Lin’s retreating figure, spat a seed shell into his pouch, and muttered softly, "I don’t know what they talked about for so long, grinning ear to ear, and he is the Minister of the Imperial Treasury’s son, but look at how worthless his demeanor is."
Yin Zheng came in holding a dustpan of white thorns and, curiously glancing at Du Changqing, said, "Shopkeeper Du, you’re a bit strange."
"What’s strange?"
"Both of you have designs on a lady, but while you guard against Marshal Pei with all your might, I don’t see you blocking Young Master Dong?"
Every few days, Du Changqing would badmouth Pei Yunmeng in front of Lu Tong, as if he was terrified Lu Tong would be whisked away by Pei Yunmeng in an unguarded moment. Yet, Dong Lin’s eyes practically glued to Lu Tong, and Du Changqing didn’t utter a word of opposition.
"How can you compare the two?" Du Changqing rolled his eyes, "Pei Yunmeng looks the way he does, while Dong Lin looks like that. Young girls all love handsome faces. Doctor Lu could very easily be charmed by a Pei surname, but that Dong guy? She doesn’t care for him, so why should I bother?"