Chapter 265

Chapter 265: Hospital and Painting Institute

Can a strategist not ascend the throne? Volume 8: Chang’an Discusses Wine, Golden Autumn Brings Change Chapter 265: Hospital and Painting Institute

If Chen Qun knew what Lu Zhi was muttering about at this moment, he would probably cry out in innocence right in front of him.

Although he had suspected that he might be summoned by Qiao Yan to Chang’an to oversee legal matters due to his father “selling him out,” it was just a thought and hadn’t actually led to any father-betraying actions.

What he taught Lu Yu was how to clearly define rewards and punishments when creating laws to avoid excessive or insufficient penalties. He certainly didn’t teach anything like—

How to make your father’s colleagues surpass him in rank.

How to secretly raise a dog under your father’s nose and surprise him in court.

In any case, he had no idea about Lu Yu’s secret act of taking painting paper to draw.

Fortunately, before he could explain his innocence to Lu Zhi, someone else had already taken the blame.

Seeing that everyone thought the anonymous submission was due to Lu Zhi’s itch to paint, while Lu Zhi himself seemed completely out of the loop, Grand Commandant Zhao Qi suddenly spoke up, “This painting was taught by me to Ziji.”

This statement dropped jaws all around.

Everyone turned to look at him.

This old gentleman was already eighty-four years old. Even Qiao Yan had to consider his mental resilience when showcasing high-proof alcohol. For him to suddenly say something like this was truly surprising!

Yet he calmly asked, “Is there a rule that says the children of the Three Excellencies cannot participate in this submission? Or that those too young are not allowed? If I recall correctly, as long as one holds no official position, they can participate. Ziji fully meets the criteria.”

Lu Zhi’s position as Grand Commandant, Chen Ji’s as Grand Herald, and Zhao Qi’s as Grand Commandant all fall under the category of the Three Excellencies and Nine Ministers. Given their similar ages and comparable knowledge, they were assigned neighboring residences after Chang’an’s housing was reallocated.

The reason Lu Zhi’s son, Lu Yu, followed Chen Qun around was because they were neighbors. So, it wasn’t strange for him to learn a bit of painting from Zhao Qi.

Zhao Qi then explained how he and Lu Yu became connected.

Although painting conditions in the late Han Dynasty were far inferior to those in the Tang and Song Dynasties, it wasn’t uncommon for scholars to paint in their spare time. Cai Yong and Zhao Qi were both skilled in this art.

Even before mulberry bark paper and green sandalwood bark paper arrived in Chang’an, there was already mulberry bark paper, which was much more durable than earlier painting papers.

With so much paper at hand, how could Zhao Qi not be delighted?

Despite being over eighty, his legs were still strong. He had his attendants carry his painting box and headed to the outskirts of the city, where he happened to run into Lu Yu, who was wandering around Chang’an.

Seeing Lu Yu engrossed in his painting, Zhao Qi and Lu Yu hit it off, and Lu Yu began learning painting from him. It had been about four or five months now.

Only Lu Zhi was left in the dark.

If it weren’t for this submission, he might have remained unaware for even longer.

“Isn’t this a good thing?” Qiao Yan said, suppressing a laugh. “A few days ago, Lu Gong was saying that because Ziji followed Changwen in his studies, he was a generation behind Chen Gong. Now that Ziji is learning painting from Zhao Gong, it balances out again.”

Lu Zhi was a disciple of Ma Rong from Fufeng, and Zhao Qi’s wife was the daughter of Ma Rong’s elder brother, making her Ma Lun’s cousin. Thus, Lu Zhi and Zhao Qi were of the same generation. For Lu Zhi’s son to learn painting from Zhao Qi would be a fine story to spread.

“But speaking of painting reminds me,” Qiao Yan said, bowing to Liu Yu, who was observing. “According to the initial divisions at Leping Academy, agriculture, engineering, and medicine were all covered. With the addition of Liu Yuanzhuo and Ma Deheng, the engineering students were separated into the Leping Academy of Sciences. As agriculture became more practice-oriented, it was also gradually separated. I intend to separate the medical department as well, establishing it directly in Chang’an. I seek Your Majesty’s approval.”

The conditions for establishing a separate medical department were fully in place.

Alcohol, cotton, and iron supervision were all under her control, with no other forces taking a share. These were guarantees for medical care.

With the advent of inexpensive bamboo paper, medical books like “Essential Emergency Formulas” could be rapidly disseminated.

Leading physicians like Hua Tuo and Wu Pu had already trained a group of capable assistants. If nothing unexpected happened, Zhang Zhongjing, still in Jing Province, would likely come as well.

Whether to continue his research independently in Jing Province or to conduct research with the support of the Chang’an court, given Zhang Zhongjing’s passion for medicine and concern for the people, he would surely make a wise decision.

These were the guarantees that prompted Qiao Yan to systematize the medical department.

Liu Yu asked curiously, “Grand Marshal, you can arrange this as you see fit. But what does this have to do with painting?”

Qiao Yan replied, “I want to establish a Painting Institute simultaneously, similar to the Medical Institute, with a focus on practical applications.”

“Painting has been attempted by many students since the paper improvements in Leping, especially in promotional materials and road signs, using visual language to address the issue of illiteracy and convey official decrees. This is the first use.”

“Topographic maps needed for military strategies and waterway diagrams for irrigation projects cannot be clearly represented with just a few lines; some painting skills are required. This is the second use.”

“In medicine, diagrams of human acupoints, methods for treating different injuries, and the specific presentation of lesions, if drawn, would greatly enhance diagnostic and treatment effectiveness. This is the third use.”

“Previously, Dezhu compiled a nursery rhyme for literacy at Leping Academy, and the manual recorded stories in comic strip form, far more effective than plain text. Other books are the same. For example, Fan Shengzhi’s book on farming and pig-raising is easier to understand with illustrations. This is the fourth use.”

“These four uses are not exhaustive but are enough to justify the establishment of a Painting Institute. I also want to place this Painting Institute in Chang’an for centralized coordination.”

Listening to Qiao Yan’s explanation, Zhao Qi initially thought that this would make painting too utilitarian.

But upon reflection, he realized that Qiao Yan’s move was well-considered.

Agriculture had already shifted to the control of the Grand Minister of Agriculture and his subordinates. Medicine was about to be centralized, and the more practical Painting Institute would also be established in Chang’an, leaving the more purely academic Leping Academy and Leping Academy of Sciences in Bingzhou. This seemed to create a complementary relationship between the two.

Chang’an as the place for practical application, Leping as the haven for scholarly pursuits.

This division had its benefits.

Thinking further, he had gone through many dangers to now sit safely in court, no longer needing to worry about highbrow discussions, let alone Qiao Yan’s arrangements for the Painting Institute.

When Liu Yu asked for his thoughts, Zhao Qi quickly replied, “I believe the Grand Marshal’s plan is feasible. Unfortunately, my paintings are mostly landscapes, so I might not be of much help.”

Qiao Yan seized the opportunity to ask, “If I hoped for Zhao Gong to serve as the head of the Painting Institute, even if just nominally, would that be possible?”

Zhao Qi hesitated.

But considering that this was another new initiative and that stabilizing the situation required someone of sufficient prestige to oversee it, he was indeed a suitable candidate. He agreed.

However, as he left the Zichen Hall, he couldn’t help but say to Qiao Yan, “Although I agreed to be the head of the Painting Institute, the uses you mentioned in court are things I’ve never dealt with before. I’ll need plenty of assistants and guidance.”

He had only taught Lu Yu a bit of painting, helping him stand out in Chang’an’s painting selection and incidentally watching Lu Zhi’s amusing reaction. He had no idea how things had escalated to this point.

Zhao Qi had been through many storms, but suddenly being told that the often-overlooked art of painting had such practical uses left him at a loss.

Originally, Zhao Qi had planned to join Xun Shuang at Leping Academy to teach “Mencius” once his health declined further.

Now, he had to explore new territories.

Qiao Yan reassured him, “Zhao Gong, rest assured. The site selection, construction, and staffing of the Painting Institute will not trouble you.”

Moving the more practical departments to Chang’an was a decision Qiao Yan had discussed with her strategists earlier.

Some students from Leping Academy would also be transferred once their development direction was confirmed, ensuring that the newly established Medical Institute and Painting Institute were directly accountable to her.








No need to go through the control of the imperial court.

The existence of Zhao Qi is to correct the perception of the Painting Institute among the people of Chang’an, preventing it from being mistaken as a place for indulging in frivolous pursuits, thus facilitating the subsequent recruitment of personnel.

So whether Zhao Qi can teach or not, and whether his painting style leans towards landscape and freehand, doesn’t have much impact on Qiao Yan.

In short, he will be a very successful figurehead.

Especially when he now has a student named Lu Yu.

Lu Yu is completely unaware that not only has his talent in law been noticed by Qiao Yan, but even his painting skills have been subtly arranged.

He now stands before Lu Zhi.

Along with the dog in his arms.

Lu Zhi scrutinized his son for a while, unable to see the “shy younger brother” description his elder brother had given him from his behavior since arriving in Chang’an.

He couldn’t help but think that his son was quite adept at socializing.

One could say he was thriving.

But considering that Lu Yu wasn’t straying from the right path, Lu Zhi just pretended to be serious for a while, then turned his gaze to the little black dog in Lu Yu’s arms and asked, “You didn’t steal it, did you?”

Lu Yu quickly shook his head, “Of course not, I paid for its appearance in the painting.”

To him, this dog was enjoying a treatment that other dogs in Chang’an didn’t have.

The dog’s owner ran a noodle shop in Chang’an and had a good business sense. After hearing Lu Yu’s reason for borrowing the dog, he proposed an idea that Lu Yu found quite interesting—apart from the daily wage, Lu Yu didn’t need to pay a deposit for borrowing the dog, but he had to give an extra copy of the painting after completion, which the owner could hang in his shop.

Regardless of whether Lu Yu’s painting could make it into the top three among the many submissions, the fact that he had the qualification to participate made the dog’s owner realize an opportunity.

After hearing Lu Yu’s creative idea for the painting, he felt that even if Lu Yu didn’t win, hanging such a painting in his shop would resonate with the new developments in Chang’an.

Whether this move would bring actual benefits was uncertain, but at least the stance was correct and had a touch of novelty.

Moreover, if he were to commission someone to paint such a work, he would need to spend money on materials and the artist, whereas Lu Yu was much cheaper.

Lu Yu was quite animated as he spoke, “Father, you see, through this incident, I’ve also realized that even these small people without access to the upper class have their own ways of thinking about how to improve their lives. Each of them has a unique way of life and can teach me something. Isn’t that interesting?”

“This person must be from Bingzhou…” Lu Zhi couldn’t help but mutter.

Lu Yu didn’t catch what Lu Zhi said and looked confused.

“Nothing,” Lu Zhi waved his hand, “I said he’s quite shrewd.”

Lu Yu making it into the top three was like giving this noodle shop top-notch publicity, and it was free advertising with the painting thrown in. It seemed like a loss no matter how you looked at it.

But seeing the child so pleased with himself and having gained something from it, Lu Zhi didn’t want to dampen his enthusiasm.

After some thought, he only asked one final question, “Ignoring the fact that you studied under Lord Zhao, your painting has been ranked third in the calligraphy and painting category. According to Ye Shu, the brushwork is still a bit immature, but the observation is meticulous and the expression is moving, making it a fine piece. This means you’ll have to face the critical reviews of the various scholars in Chang’an who participated in this event. Are you confident?”

Lu Yu, who had seemed indifferent to being taken advantage of earlier, now replied seriously, “Father, asking that is underestimating me. If I were afraid of such things, why would I have participated in the first place?”

Seeing Lu Yu’s response, Lu Zhi suddenly laughed heartily.

With a son like this, what more could he worry about!

Over here, the real father and son, after the initial shock of the son’s antics, had now reached a harmonious state.

On the other side, the fake father and son were in a gloomy state.

The wine-tasting event hosted by Qiao Yan was not just a big deal for Chang’an; Tian Feng was also closely monitoring the situation.

He had managed to secure a position in the Hongwen Hall that was difficult for outsiders to achieve, but he still considered himself a minister of the Ye court and would not easily be swayed.

So he genuinely hoped that the implementation of the alcohol restriction order would be hindered, to prevent Qiao Yan from further widening the gap with Ji Province after taking full control of alcohol sales.

Tian Feng’s hope wasn’t entirely wishful thinking.

Although the emperor and court officials had already expressed support for Qiao Yan’s move, considering the stubbornness of the noble families, Tian Feng instinctively felt they wouldn’t easily compromise and would likely come up with various conditions to prolong the negotiations.

Yuan Xi shared the same hope.

While flipping through the books at Tian Feng’s residence, trying to gather more intelligence about the Si Li region, he and Tian Feng comforted each other with words that there was still a chance to turn things around.

However, the next day they received news that during a gathering the previous day, the Grand Marshal’s objectives had all been agreed upon, and the attendees would soon return to their respective regions to collect the remaining stock from the wineries and cooperate with the court in confiscating private wineries.

Tian Feng was stunned, “Did these people surrender too quickly?”

The speed of their defection was hundreds of times faster than his.

“Don’t they have any noble family pride?”

Hearing Tian Feng’s question, Yuan Xi nodded in agreement with a pained expression.

Upon further hearing that Qiao Yan intended to establish a medical college with Hua Tuo and possibly Zhang Ji as deans, and a painting institute with Zhao Qi as the dean, their expressions grew even more grim.

If Tian Feng were alone, he might have adapted to the local customs and not shown such obvious worry even in private.

But with the two of them together, thinking about the smooth implementation of various measures here compared to the situation in Ye, their faces couldn’t help but show their concern.

At first glance, with such similar expressions, they really did look like the father and son that Guo Jia had jokingly labeled them as.

“Second Young Master,” Tian Feng spoke up, “I suspect that Qiao of Bingzhou must hold a bargaining chip that benefits the noble families, not just the threat of force to seize control of alcohol sales. Something like allicin isn’t enough. Even if such a thing appeared on the market, there would still be technical barriers that are hard to overcome in a short time.”

Putting himself in the shoes of the noble families with winery businesses, Tian Feng felt this was the only reasonable explanation.

Yuan Xi asked, “Mr. Yuanhao, are you suggesting we try to uncover the secret of this thing and inform Ye?”

“No, quite the opposite,” Tian Feng replied, “We need to make a choice.”

Seeing Yuan Xi still somewhat confused, Tian Feng explained, “Such a bargaining chip being suppressed by Qiao of Bingzhou until now means it’s unlikely we’ll easily uncover it. If we rashly probe at this sensitive time, we’ll only expose ourselves without any benefit. It’s better to quickly gather what we can and bring it back to Ye, so our lord can prepare accordingly.”

He paced the room thoughtfully, somewhat regretting not having extricated himself from this situation earlier.

His current identity made it easy to avoid revealing his true background, but it was difficult to deeply access certain things.

He was also afraid that Xun Yu might suspect his identity due to his unusual behavior, which now became a constraint.

Fortunately, they hadn’t come away empty-handed.

Tian Feng continued, “In terms of medicine, allicin is enough to report to our lord. Bringing back a book of emergency remedies, the agricultural tools and farming methods I’ve seen, and the military use of mules instead of horses can also be considered. As for the rest…”

He was interrupted by a knock at the courtyard gate.

Tian Feng immediately stopped talking and went to the courtyard, hearing a colleague’s voice from outside, “Zigu, the Marquis has invited us to a celebratory banquet, and to bring your son along. Let’s go together!”

Tian Feng quickly agreed.

Seeing Yuan Xi also come out, he whispered, “Remember as much as you can. Try to stay inconspicuous during the banquet. After it’s over, I’ll find a way to send you away from here.”

Let’s not have any more rumors about talents; hurry back to Ye!