Chapter 12: A Meeting with Power

Mo Bei examined the decree in his hands, the governor's seal stamped in deep crimson wax. The weight of the parchment was more than just paper—it was opportunity, risk, and change all wrapped in one.

His first instinct was caution. The provincial governor wasn't just another noble; he was the region's ruling authority, a man who controlled laws, trade, and military forces. For someone of his status to summon a mere doctor was unusual, if not concerning.

He tucked the decree into his robes, exhaling slowly. "It seems my reputation is growing faster than I expected."

The noble's estate where he was staying provided him with an escort, and within the hour, Mo Bei found himself being led through the grand streets of the provincial capital. The governor's residence was a towering structure of polished wood and stone, its sprawling gardens filled with imported flora. The sheer display of wealth here contrasted starkly with the suffering he had seen in the common districts.

A steward in fine robes led him into the main hall, where Governor Xu sat on an elevated platform, sipping tea. The man was in his late fifties, his beard neatly trimmed, his robes embroidered with symbols of authority. His sharp eyes studied Mo Bei with quiet intensity.

"You are Doctor Mo?" the governor finally spoke, his voice smooth but commanding.

Mo Bei gave a respectful bow. "Yes, my lord."

"I have heard of your skills," Xu said, setting his cup down. "You diagnosed Lord Liu's ailment when others failed. You treat commoners as readily as nobles. And, perhaps most intriguingly, you seek to change the way medicine is practiced."

Mo Bei remained silent, letting the governor continue.

"I summoned you here for two reasons," Xu said. "First, I have an illness of my own that needs diagnosing. Second, I want to know whether you are an asset or a threat."

The atmosphere in the room shifted. The subtle weight of power pressed down, a reminder that Mo Bei was no longer just a doctor—he was a man of influence, whether he intended to be or not.

Diagnosing the Governor

The governor extended his wrist, allowing Mo Bei to take his pulse. As soon as he touched the man's skin, the system activated.

[Diagnosis: Early-stage liver stagnation due to excessive rich food and stress. Symptoms: Fatigue, irritability, occasional dizziness. Prognosis: If untreated, may lead to severe liver damage and chronic illness.]

Mo Bei frowned slightly. It wasn't a life-threatening condition, but it could become one if left unchecked.

"You have been consuming too much heavy food," Mo Bei said calmly. "And you have stress beyond what is normal for a man in your position."

The governor raised a brow. "I am a ruler. Stress is inevitable."

"Then illness will be as well," Mo Bei countered. "If you do not change your diet and take herbal remedies to ease your liver, your health will decline."

Xu studied him for a long moment before chuckling. "Direct and fearless. I see why you've earned a reputation."

He clapped his hands, and a servant brought parchment and ink. "Write me a prescription. If it works, I will know you are genuine."

Mo Bei quickly wrote a list of ingredients—milk thistle, dandelion root, and specific cooling herbs to soothe the liver. The governor handed it to a steward without question.

"Now, tell me, Doctor Mo. You are intelligent, skilled, and have influence among both commoners and nobles. What is it you truly seek?"

Mo Bei's fingers tightened slightly around the sleeve of his robe. He had expected this question, but answering it was another matter. His goal had always been clear—to heal, to spread medical knowledge, to make sure people did not die needlessly. But here, in this grand hall, his ambitions felt… larger.

"I wish to see medicine practiced without ignorance," Mo Bei said finally. "I want knowledge to spread, so that people do not suffer simply because they lack understanding. And I will not stop simply because those in power fear change."

Silence followed. The governor studied him again, longer this time, before a smile touched his lips. "Then we have common ground."

Mo Bei blinked. "My lord?"

The governor leaned forward. "You think I summon doctors only when I am sick? No. I summon those who may be useful to me."

He gestured for a guard, who brought forward a scroll. "This is a decree. If you accept it, you will be granted an official title as a provincial medical advisor. Your knowledge will not only be accepted—it will be enforced. Schools will be opened, your methods implemented. But," he added, voice turning sharp, "you will answer to me."

Mo Bei stared at the scroll. This was more than he had ever imagined. Influence. Authority. A chance to change the entire system. But it came with a cost—alignment with power meant entanglement in politics, something he had never wanted.

A Difficult Decision

He took a slow breath. "If I accept, I will have control over medical practices in the province?"

"You will advise, guide, and reform," the governor said. "But ultimate authority remains with me."

Mo Bei looked down at his hands. He had spent his days treating one patient at a time, but this… this was a chance to treat an entire province. To set standards, to end superstitions, to teach medicine as it should be taught. But it also meant stepping into a world where healing was not just about medicine—it was about power, alliances, and survival.

The system remained silent, offering no guidance. This choice was his alone.

Finally, Mo Bei exhaled. "I accept."

The governor smiled, sealing the scroll. "Then welcome, Doctor Mo. Your work has only just begun."

As Mo Bei left the hall, he felt the weight of responsibility settle over him. He had taken his first true step into a world that would test him not just as a healer, but as a strategist.

Whatever awaited him next, he would face it—because this was more than just a summons.

It was the beginning of a revolution in medicine.