Chapter 1028: A Legend in Medical History
Leonor and the others turned to look at Roman simultaneously.
The unfamiliar young man followed their gaze, a smile spreading across his face.
"Ah, you really are here, Mr. Sapina. I stopped by your house, but your father said you had—well, that you’d stepped out. Father Carlo suggested I come find you here."
Roman Sapina was inwardly delighted to see the visitor and hurried forward to bow. "I apologize for wasting your valuable time, Baron Vieuxtemps. May I ask why you were looking for me?"
"Your application for the 'Reserve Physician' position has been approved." Vieuxtemps handed him a document. "Once you finish these registration forms, you will be the official Reserve Physician for the Meition Parish."
This "Reserve Physician" was the official title for the French version of a barefoot doctor.
Sapina’s hands trembled with excitement as he took the papers. "This... this is truly... thank you so much!"
He had submitted his application and taken the exam with only a glimmer of hope; he never expected to actually be selected.
Baron Vieuxtemps waved it off with a smile. "No need to thank me. Your scores in reading, logic, and practical application were the highest in the village. Plus, you have extra rooms in your house, making you the most suitable candidate."
Sapina quickly introduced him to everyone. "Oh, this is Baron Vieuxtemps from the University of Reims, Faculty of Medicine."
Leonor’s family bowed to Vieuxtemps one after another. In this era, the social status of a doctor was quite high.
In truth, Vieuxtemps had not yet officially graduated. He had to train the Reserve Physicians of the Meition Parish and then complete a two-year internship at the University of Reims Affiliated Hospital before he could receive his medical license—a new regulation that had gone into effect last year.
However, over the past year, the French medical community had seen a flood of entirely new treatment theories. Medicines and medical equipment had also undergone revolutionary changes, so medical students didn't mind the extended graduation time. After all, it took a significant amount of time to learn these new developments.
Leonor pulled Sapina aside and asked, "Just now, the gentleman said you passed something called a 'Reserve Physician'?"
"It’s the 'National Rural Medical System' promoted by His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince," Rochefort explained from the side. "Mr. Sapina will receive medical training and set up a simple clinic in the parish. The people of the village will be able to seek medical treatment from him for free."
Vieuxtemps added, "Medicine will still cost a small amount, but it will be much cheaper than in the city."
Leonor’s eyes widened. "You mean, we can get medical treatment for free in the future?"
Previously, Meition Village had no doctor. If a villager fell ill, they had to travel to the town of Cornu, twenty kilometers away, to find a physician. Each visit cost around four francs.
Unless they were on the brink of death, everyone chose to simply endure it at home.
But now, they could find a doctor without even leaving the village, and it wouldn't cost a cent!
"Exactly," Vieuxtemps nodded, his expression full of reverence. "This is a gift from His Highness to all the people of France."
"That’s... that’s wonderful!" Leonor and his wife looked at each other in excitement, both crossing themselves repeatedly. "Praise the Crown Prince. Thank you, Your Highness!"
"May God bless the Crown Prince!"
Once their emotions had calmed slightly, the way Leonor looked at his brother-in-law changed. "Roman, are you really going to become a doctor?"
"No, no, just a Reserve Physician."
"That’s still impressive." Leonor suddenly remembered something. "Wait, if the treatment is free, how will you earn money?"
"The government gives me a monthly stipend of twelve francs. I only need to see patients for four hours a day, and I can still tend to my crops the rest of the time."
What Sapina didn't mention was that he didn't care most about the stipend. According to the regulations, if he served as a Reserve Physician for eight years, he would be eligible to apply for the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Reims—and the government would provide a full tuition subsidy.
By then, he could truly leave this small village and soar in the wide world outside.
"Twelve francs? That’s actually quite good!" Leonor nodded repeatedly, but then his brow furrowed. "Roman, why didn't I hear you mention such a good opportunity?"
"The notice was posted at the village entrance two months ago," Sapina whispered. "Actually, Domi also submitted an application."
Domi glanced at his father. "Father Carlo announced the Reserve Physician program several times, but you thought it was a waste of time and refused to go listen..."
Leonor rubbed his nose awkwardly. Suddenly, as if he had a realization, he slapped his eldest son’s shoulder hard. "Domi, perhaps Mr. Rochefort is right. You should go out and see the world."
"Does that mean you agree to let me go to Paris?"
"I agree. Go. Look, even your uncle has become a doctor. Maybe you really can become a tax official."
"That’s great!"
Sapina quietly corrected him, "It’s... a Reserve Physician..."
Seeing that the argument was over, Rochefort bid farewell to Leonor's family and hurried to the next village to sell the "Universal Flying Cart."
Vieuxtemps, meanwhile, began to urge Sapina. "Then let us begin the training. Where do you plan to set up your clinic?"
"At my house." The latter spoke halfway before his spirit sagged again. "But my father is currently in a foul mood, so I'm afraid..."
Leonor immediately stepped forward. "I’ll help you convince my uncle."
That afternoon, in the cluttered living room of the Sapina home, Vieuxtemps laid out various medical materials on the table. Finally, he solemnly handed a white canvas-covered book to his student.
"You must keep this book safe. It will be your most important asset for many years to come.
"At the same time, it is an exceptionally rare medical classic. Even my own professors say they have gained much from reading it."
Indeed, this was the second edition of the Reserve Physician's Handbook. The expert panel of the Health Bureau had made numerous corrections to the diagnostics and treatment methods within. Of the dozen or so medicines listed, seventy percent had undergone double-blind experiments to ensure they were genuinely effective.
It could be said that this was the first medical work in all of Europe to truly shed the attributes of "witchcraft." It was destined to have a profound impact on the entire medical world.
Vieuxtemps warned again, "Remember, this book must be properly preserved. You are not allowed to lend it to outsiders. If it is lost, you will be in significant trouble."
The French Health Bureau had invested heavily in completing the second edition of the Reserve Physician's Handbook, so they naturally had to prevent it from being stolen by other nations.
Of course, such a public book couldn't be kept secret forever, but they wanted to delay that process as much as possible.
By the time other countries got their hands on this edition of the Handbook, France would likely be releasing an even more refined version.
France would always lead the latest trends in medicine.
Sapina immediately began to thirstily absorb the endless medical knowledge, even falling asleep clutching the Handbook at night.
He was naturally sharp-witted, and under Vieuxtemps’ guidance, his progress was remarkably swift.
He just didn't expect that only a week later, he would encounter an opportunity to truly show what he could do.
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