Chapter 123: The Question of Childbirth and the Advancement of Medicine!

As the words left Li Yi's lips, everyone stared at him intently.

"Speak your mind!" Li Er urged.

"With everyone watching me like this, I’m getting nervous!" Li Yi replied. "Uncle Li, could you first tell me who these two... these two are?"

Li Er glanced back at Empress Zhangsun and the child in Princess Changle's arms. "This is my five-year-old ninth prince, Li Zhi, whose childhood name is Zhinu. The other is my two-year-old little princess, Mingda, whose childhood name is Douzi. Ah, I almost forgot! Daoist, please take a look at Douzi later as well; she has been weak and sickly since birth."

Li Yi suddenly realized: this was the future Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi, and Li Er’s favorite daughter, little Douzi.

"Uncle Li, that makes sense! Actually, the Empress's issue is the same as Changle's, just different in nature. Changle's issue is a matter of development, while the Empress's issue is a matter of over-childbearing."

As soon as Li Yi finished, Sun Simiao’s expression shifted to one of sudden realization, and he fell into deep thought.

Li Er frowned. "Explain yourself."

Li Yi gathered his thoughts and said, "Uncle Li, I happened to learn about this in an encyclopedia. I have also seen individual cases, though I couldn't verify them. According to the encyclopedia, adolescence is a developmental stage, especially for women. Before the age of eighteen, the body is not fully mature. If a young girl gives birth before her body has matured, it is extremely dangerous. Firstly, the chances of a successful delivery are very low. Secondly, regardless of the outcome, it causes great harm to the young girl's body. A successful birth, in particular, inflicts permanent damage that can shorten one's lifespan."

Everyone was stunned into numbness by Li Yi’s words. Could such a thing really be true? In this age, almost all women gave birth at a very young age. Did that mean... this was terrifying!

Li Er composed himself and cast a mechanical gaze toward Sun Simiao. "Daoist, is there truly such a thing?"

Sun Simiao stroked his beard and said slowly, "Your Majesty, I do know something of what this young friend speaks. Based on my many years of medical practice, I have indeed observed this, though not as specifically as Young Master Li does. However, giving birth too early does cause immense damage to the body. That is why I demanded that the Princess absolutely must not conceive for five years; her body simply cannot withstand such trauma."

Li Er was still shocked, as this shattered a long-standing tradition. It was impossible to accept so quickly.

"Then, young man, are you saying that is why Guanyinbi’s health is so weak?"

"Not exactly. While the damage I mentioned is permanent, with proper nourishment later on, one can recover to some extent—at least enough for it not to affect daily life. The Empress’s problem is over-childbearing. Uncle Li, pregnancy lasts ten months; for every child a mother bears, it is as if she loses half her life. A child’s growth draws essence from every part of the mother’s body. Every birth means a loss of that vital essence. That is why they say children are the flesh of a mother's heart. While this loss can be replenished with long-term nourishment, excessive childbearing causes an imbalance, leading to frailty—especially for someone like the Empress, who already suffers from illness; the weakness becomes even more pronounced."

Li Er slumped into his chair, his eyes filled with complex emotions as he sat in silence.

Changle looked at Empress Zhangsun with a heart full of pain. It was the first time she realized how much her mother had sacrificed to bring them into the world. As a daughter, she had never cared about this, and now she was filled with guilt.

Empress Zhangsun’s expression remained unchanged, her calm demeanor clearly showing one thing: she had no regrets. This was the heart of a mother, regardless of her status.

After pondering for a long time and listening to Li Yi’s analysis, Sun Simiao finally confirmed the cause.

"Your Majesty, Young Master Li is correct. Upon careful analysis, I find his observations are indeed universal. In that case, the Empress’s condition is not as dire as it seemed. As long as she bears no more children and I provide nourishing prescriptions and careful care, she could easily extend her life by a dozen years or more!"

Li Er slapped the table. "Daoist, rest assured. I will never allow Guanyinbi to bear another child. Please, proceed with the treatment!"

"Your Majesty?" Empress Zhangsun looked at Li Er in astonishment.

Li Er waved his hand, brooking no argument. "Guanyinbi, say no more. Ten princes are not worth a single Guanyinbi."

Empress Zhangsun was moved to tears. The Empress of the Great Tang, who always maintained a dignified image, was weeping in public for the first time. Even Li Yi was impressed—speaking such heartfelt words in public, this was a true man!

Seeing that the matter was perfectly resolved, Li Er finally smiled.

"Daoist, young man! The two issues you raised today are of vital importance. I need a precise answer from you. The population of the Great Tang is too small; I need many more citizens!"

Li Yi seized the opportunity. "Uncle Li, even if these issues are verified, promoting them will be difficult. Such deeply ingrained ideas cannot be changed overnight. However, the Daoist and I have an idea that will surely help you solve this problem to a certain extent!"

A glimmer of light appeared in Li Er’s eyes. "Oh? Tell me about it."

Li Yi glanced at the excited Sun Simiao and, gathering his thoughts, explained the medical system he had discussed at Xuandu Temple to Li Er in full detail.

"Your Majesty, once this medical system is established, it will greatly reduce the number of deaths caused by injury and illness, effectively increasing the population of the Great Tang. Furthermore, this system can be passed down. This is a feat that will benefit the present and serve the future for generations!"

"'Benefit the present, serve the future'?" Li Er savored the words, his eyes bright. "What a magnificent phrase! A Great Tang medical system! Hahaha! This is a task worth doing, and it must be done well! Tell me, how do you need me to cooperate?"

Li Yi happily looked at Sun Simiao, signaling for him to speak; it was better for a professional to handle such professional matters.

Sun Simiao nodded, calming his excitement. "Your Majesty, the medical system consists of three parts: medical texts, medical schools, and hospitals. The medical texts are the foundation. I require a vast collection of medical books and a sufficient number of knowledgeable personnel to assist me in compiling them."

Li Er pondered for a moment. "Good! I will notify the Imperial Physicians of the Imperial Medical Bureau to assist you with all their might. You may examine all the medical books in the bureau. Furthermore, I will grant you a command token, allowing you free access to the palace. How is that?"

"Excellent, excellent!" Sun Simiao’s face was flushed with excitement. "Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will do my utmost to accomplish this!"

"Good! I trust you. As I said before, I only care about the results; I will not question the process."

"I accept the decree!"