After waiting for three days, neither subject two nor subject three showed any further signs of smallpox. The three imperial doctors breathed a sigh of relief and stored the collected scabs from them in bottles, labeling and sealing them.
The two subjects remained in the house to recuperate, while Manbao and the others cleaned up and headed to the palace to et the Emperor.
They brought with them the notes they had recorded during these days.
The Emperor, not well-versed in dicine, specifically summoned several ministers to listen along, especially Lord Tang, who was familiar with dical knowledge due to his background in criminal cases.
Director Xiao, representing the group, detailed the experintal data from this period.
The Emperor flipped through the pulse records on the table and casually handed them to Gu Zhong to show to the officials below.
Wei Zhi glanced at the start ti and asked, "So, it’s only been fifteen days since the inoculation began."
"Yes," Director Xiao replied. "In fact, the smallpox lasted only between five to nine days for them, which falls within the outbreak period of smallpox patients. However, on average, the duration was slightly shorter than the overall duration of smallpox outbreaks."
Manbao supplented, "Our sample size is too small, so this data may not be very accurate."
The Emperor and several ministers picked up on her implication that more people were needed for the experint.
The Emperor tapped the table, "So the inoculation is indeed effective, and those who have contracted smallpox won’t contract it again."
Wei Zhi, considering the risks, splashed a bucket of cold water, "Your Majesty, with three subjects, one died. This proportion is too high; not even in battles does one see such fatalities. This inoculation thod needs further deliberation."
Manbao imdiately said, "Indeed, human inoculation isn’t safe enough. Therefore, I wish to go to the Western Regions to seek the cowpox thod, which I’ve heard is much safer than human inoculation. I beg Your Majesty for approval."
Manbao bowed deeply.
The Emperor waved his hand, "We’ll discuss this matter further; there’s no rush. It’s only late February. By the way, since subject three seems much safer, should we try using the scabs from him?"
Manbao and Director Xiao exchanged a glance and said, "Yes, we also believe so. Comparing it with subject two’s scabs can help determine whether the lower toxicity of the scabs makes it safer. This will guide us in selecting the appropriate scabs for inoculation in the future."
Director Xiao added, "But there are no more prisoners sentenced to death in the Ministry of Justice’s prison, and those sentenced to hanging aren’t many either, so..."
The Emperor looked at Lord Tang and the Minister of Justice, then said, "Why not ask other serious offenders if they’re willing. If they are, their sentence can be reduced."
Lord Tang frowned, not agreeing with this reward system. He said, "Your Majesty, those convicted of serious cris are often extrely wicked. If released, they pose great danger to the public and are unjust to victims."
Thus, he consistently opposed the Emperor’s proposals for mass amnesty as acts of kindness.
Wei Zhi also agreed and expressed opposition.
The Emperor responded, "If we need their lives for experints, we must offer so benefit; otherwise, who would agree to it?"
"However, releasing them would risk further harm to the community. Those suffering from cris have nowhere to appeal. The law is the law; it can’t be altered excessively."
The Emperor was sowhat exasperated, "If inoculation can indeed be successfully trialed, it will be a monuntal achievent. Are we to abandon this thod then?"
Manbao saw a clash was imminent and quickly intervened, "Your Majesty, with great incentives cos courage, but the reward doesn’t have to be releasing them. We can offer other benefits."
She continued, "I’ve observed the prison als are quite poor. We could promise that if they enroll, their als during imprisonnt will consist of fish, at, and eggs for twenty years; or for those sentenced to exile, reduce the distance from two thousand miles to one thousand miles and offer so money. Or maybe provide money upfront so they can choose to spend it for redemption or personal use."
The Emperor quickly agreed, "Yes, this is a good idea."
Lord Tang and Wei Zhi remained silent, both looking toward the Minister of Justice, who then stroked his chin and said, "It’s possible, but how much should we offer?"
As he spoke, he glanced at Minister Liu from the Ministry of Revenue, saying, "Our Ministry of Justice’s budget is already tight this year. If we’re offering great incentives, we’ll need funds from the Ministry of Revenue."
Minister Liu didn’t expect the spotlight to fall on him. He was rely there to listen.
Upon hearing this, the Minister of Revenue couldn’t help but retort, "The national treasury can’t produce gold eggs on its own. Last year was tough enough, and this year every departnt needs funds, along with last year’s deficit that still needs filling. Where would extra silver co from?"
The Minister of Justice replied, "If the Ministry of Revenue can’t provide silver, then we certainly can’t either."
Lord Tang supported the Minister of Justice, "So funds must be allocated, or else releasing these individuals might result in further offenses, which would require additional resources from the Ministry of Justice in future interventions. This could incur considerable expenses."
Ministry of Justice officials are compensated for travel, which is included in salary details and requires funds from the Ministry of Revenue.
Minister Liu then cast a glance at the three from the Imperial Hospital and snorted, "At most, one hundred taels, no more."
How stingy!
However, Manbao and the others calculated that this hundred taels would suffice to hire a few prisoners. If we don’t count illnesses, one can eat well without at at every al, having it every other day requires about five hundred wen, making it five taels a year. Providing ten years’ worth of als alone would cost fifty taels, aning only two prisoners could be hired.
It’s insufficient. It certainly isn’t.
Having privately calculated with Director Xiao and Imperial Doctor Lu, Manbao determined that the next experint would need at least twelve patients, with four people across three age groups, using each scab type on two individuals from the sa age group for comparative analysis.
Even this number is too few; ideally, it should be increased tenfold.
But even with the Ministry of Justice’s prison, it’s unlikely to find that many serious offenders willing to undergo the experint.
But getting the Ministry of Revenue to provide six hundred taels seems difficult, so Manbao suggested, "One hundred taels is too little; at least a thousand taels is necessary."
Minister Liu was taken aback by her tenfold increase. Though on the court, they often start with high bids and settle for less, a tenfold increase is rare.
Manbao worked out the calculations for him, pointing out that to have prisoners willingly participate in the experint, they need at least ten years’ worth of als covered.
The two then discussed current prices.
The Emperor and ministers watched them go back and forth, with the conversation reaching the day’s price of six wen per jin for vegetables. Soone comnted, "But that’s because it’s early spring and vegetables are scarce; look at sumr and autumn when the price is two wen per jin at most."
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