Chapter 5

Inventions from the 21st Century

    Luxian and his two maids returned to the estate by hiring a carriage from the market. By the time they arrived, it was already the hour of Shen[1].

    The eldest young master of the Chen family called a meeting with all four of his maidservants to address potential issues that could arise in the future, laying the groundwork for prevention and preparation.

    “I have a question for the four of you,” Luxian began, his voice steady yet laced with subtle pressure. His gaze and demeanor were calm but serious, leaving no room for defiance.

    “Yes, sir,” the maids answered hesitantly, nervous. Ever since the eldest young master had stepped out of the remote back residence yesterday, he had surprised them time and time again.

    “Whose people are you?” he asked, his voice turning cold.

    The four exchanged glances, confused by the directness of the question. While it wasn’t unusual for him to be suspicious of them, calling them together to ask so bluntly was certainly strange.

    “I said, whose people are you?” His tone dropped lower, commanding immediate attention.

    “We are your people, Young Master,” the four answered in unison, their voices trembling with fear. It was true they had only begun serving him yesterday, and while the rumors about the eldest son had been plenty, the person before them bore no resemblance to the so-called ‘worthless, ugly outcast.’ His mere shout had them trembling to their knees.

    “Good. Since you are my people, there are only two rules you need to follow. First, if you remain loyal to me, I will reward you generously. But if you betray me, I will make sure you understand what it means to wish for death over life.”

    His tone, though calm, was chilling and carried an oppressive weight that left the maids visibly shaken. This method of controlling subordinates was something Chen Mu had taught Luxian from a young age. To control people, one must first control their minds. Although Dr. Chen rarely had reason to use this tactic in the past, playing the stern role now was surprisingly enjoyable.

    “We will remain loyal to you until our dying breath, Young Master,” the maids promised, their voices filled with fear and resolve.

    “Good. Now, listen to what we need to do moving forward,” Luxian instructed.

    He then outlined his plans to convert the tavern into a clinic that would not be open to the general public—a so-called "underground clinic," which was quite common in this era.

    Dr. Chen Luxian spun a tale, claiming that he had spent the years in the back residence of the Chen household studying medicine until he achieved mastery. He even added that he had been trained by a legendary white-haired sage, a skilled elder renowned for their expertise.

    In this era, anyone with exceptional skills and old age was often referred to as a "sage."

    It took him nearly an entire hour to weave the story for his personal maids. All of it, however, served one singular purpose.

    “I want the four of you to become my apprentices,” Luxian declared.

    There was no way he would announce his true abilities to the world without good reason. Every action he took had its purpose. In this case, while he was indeed a doctor, he wasn’t truly a divine doctor. He needed assistants.

    It took at least six years of formal education to become a doctor, and he had no illusions about replicating that training. All he needed was to train these women to be capable nurses—proficient enough to handle tools, assist him efficiently, and have basic knowledge of first aid.

    Teaching these basic skills to people in an ancient era was no easy task. However, since he needed reliable helpers, it had to be individuals close to him—people he could summon at any time. In the end, the four maids became his candidates.

    “I’ll also run a business as a cover, and I’ll teach you accounting. You can already read and write, can’t you? Until my clinic is ready, you’ll learn both skills and then decide which responsibility you’d like to take on. Naturally, if you’re working, you’ll be paid wages separately from the allowance you receive from the General’s estate. With the extra income, you’ll be able to buy your freedom faster. Once your servitude ends, we’ll discuss whether you want to keep working for me or not…”

    “Why are you crying…?” Luxian paused mid-sentence, only to see the young maids, who were about the age of middle schoolers, bursting into tears.

    “No one’s ever spoken to us like this before… To nobles, we’re just slaves, meant to serve, to be scolded and beaten if we displease them. If we’re beaten to death, that’s the end of it. No one has ever given us the chance to choose before... You’re the first, Young Master,” Lu Lu said, sniffling as she wiped away her tears.

    “We will be loyal to you, Young Master. Even if we have to walk through fire, we’ll follow you. Whether or not you succeed in your endeavors, we will never betray you,” Qing Hai declared, regaining her composure and speaking with conviction. Bai Li and Li Hong, still sobbing, nodded in agreement.

    “Good. Remember the words you’ve spoken today,” Luxian said firmly. “Another thing you should know is that in this life, I will marry only once and only one person. Forget any tasks Fang Mei Hua assigned to you before this. From now on, your sole duty is to follow my orders.”

    “Yes, sir,” the maids replied in unison. With a job that offered wages and the chance to buy their freedom, normally none of them had any desire to become someone else’s concubine.

    “Tomorrow, I’ll meet with the carpenter about renovating the tavern. The blacksmith and herbal shop will take a bit more planning… You can decide amongst yourselves who will accompany me. Tomorrow, I won’t use a carriage. Leaving the estate too often would look suspicious. I’ll exit through the back wall of the estate and call for a carriage from there. If anyone comes looking for me, just tell them you don’t know where I am. Normally, I am so useless in their eyes that no one would suspect anything. Alright, you’re dismissed. No need to stay and look after me—I’ll handle things myself.”

    “What about dinner, sir?” Bai Li asked hesitantly. She hadn’t seen the Young Master eat anything since returning home.

    “I’ll cook for myself. If I plan to open a restaurant, I should know how to cook, shouldn’t I? You all go to rest.”

    “A restaurant…”

    “Oh, I forgot to mention—I’ve just realized that controlling the appetites of influential people is crucial. Coming from a developed era, forcing women into prostitution isn’t my style. Beyond brothels, restaurants and gambling halls are excellent sources of information.”

    For now, money is insufficient to open a gambling hall, so starting with a restaurant will do. Besides, the kitchen is already separate from the main building, so hygiene won’t be an issue. Hope the recipes from the future will captivate the taste buds of people in this era.

    Once the maids left, Luxian’s all-nighter officially began.

    He spent nearly an hour sketching the design of the tavern. Using a brush proved challenging, and he vowed to find a way to produce pencils or pens someday. As he worked, his mind wandered.

    If only I had some sort of dimensional space or treasure trove from the future. That would make things so much easier.

    For now, he resigned himself to using the brush, scribbling and wasting several sheets of paper before finally completing the blueprint for the tavern. It was a seamless blend of ancient Chinese aesthetics and modern design, combining vintage and minimalist elements to stand out and attract customers. At the same time, the blueprint retained the beauty of traditional artistry.

    The clinic, hidden behind the restaurant front, was named “Hall of Lu Yue”, combining the original name of the Ming Yue tavern with the character Lu from his own name.

    The Hall of Lu Yue needed to be both discreet and striking in the eyes of the public. Balancing such opposing objectives made the design particularly challenging. More importantly, no matter how skilled Chen Luxian was, he wasn’t an architect or an engineer. Everything he planned needed to be based on the craftsmanship and technology of this era.

    The rooms that had previously served as guest accommodations would all be converted into spaces for the underground clinic. He sketched out operating rooms, recovery rooms, a pharmacy, an herbal storage room, a doctor’s quarters, and even reserved a few rooms for the workers of the Hall of Lu Yue. Everything had to be meticulously divided and designed with sanitation and comfort as top priorities.

    In addition, Luxian drafted a plan for a modern-style bathroom. Drawing from his rudimentary knowledge of history, he recalled that early plumbing systems were made of clay pipes. He decided to try replicating such a system. Sometimes, the surgery would require urgent facilities. Beyond convenience, proper sanitation was essential for maintaining hygiene. Having spent only a few days in this ancient world, Dr. Chen already found himself irritated by the lack of proper bathing and toilet facilities. At least things weren’t so primitive that he had to dig holes in the ground.

    He worked tirelessly through the night, designing and refining until the sun began to rise, all without a moment’s rest. As he finished, he could only hope and pray that the craftsmen of this era would be capable of bringing his ideas to life.

    If the heavens wouldn’t grant me special abilities or treasures, at least let things go smoothly for once...

    After finalizing the tavern renovation plans, he turned his attention to medical equipment, which was by far the most challenging task. He began listing the essential medicines he needed, including substitutes for modern pharmaceuticals. Anesthetics, sedatives, fever reducers, painkillers, hemostatics, and, most importantly, scar treatments for his own face—all of these had to be figured out.

    The issue of surgical tools was even more complicated. How could he instruct a blacksmith to craft medical instruments that wouldn’t rust? Surgical scalpels, retractors, suturing needles, scissors, clamps—and even syringes and blood collection needles—would all need to be made. The method to test blood types was another unsolved problem. Luxian would need to figure out how to create reagents for blood typing. While he had worked in a lab before and knew the process, the complete lack of modern equipment here posed a significant hurdle.

    Still, he knew these things were possible—they just required time. The advancements of the past had paved the way for the present, and as someone from the modern era, he wasn’t about to give up. He didn’t need to invent anything; he just had to adapt existing knowledge to this world.

    By the time he finished sketching out all the medical tools on paper, Luxian was utterly drained. Setting his brush down, he leaned his head on his desk, hoping for a brief moment of rest. Unfortunately, as soon as his eyes closed, the voices of his four maids reached his ears.

    Luxian, looking haggard after a sleepless night, instructed Qing Hai to prepare a refreshing bath and sent Lu Lu to cook a nutritious meal. He specifically requested dishes rich in fruits, vegetables, and vitamins—anything to nourish his brain. He also ordered a dessert, Tangyuan[2], to help boost his blood sugar.

    After taking care of himself, he called the maids together and asked, “So, who’s coming with me today?”

    Li Hong, Lu Lu, and Bai Li stepped forward.

    “Then, Qing Hai, stay behind and manage the residence. Don’t forget my instructions about how to handle visitors,” he reminded her.

    “Yes, sir,” Qing Hai replied obediently.

    Although sneaking out of the estate with three maids in tow was far more cumbersome than going alone, it wasn’t beyond his ability to manage.

    Luxian climbed a tree near the back wall of the estate, tying a rope to help the maids climb over one by one. After all three were safely on the other side, he retrieved the rope before they left.

    Their first stop was the herbal shop. Luxian personally delivered the purchase order to the shopkeeper. While the herbs weren’t urgently needed, it was better to deliver the order now and save himself another trip later.

    Next, they visited the carpenter recommended by the tavern owner. Luxian unrolled the blueprint he had sketched out, leaving the carpenter and his assistants stunned.

    The craftsmanship of the drawing alone was impressive, but the design itself was something they had never seen before—unique, innovative, and breathtakingly beautiful.

    “If there are parts the carpenters cannot handle, feel free to bring in specialists for the job. I will pay them separately. At the back of the building, I’ll need a water pipeline to bring water into the interior, and I also want to build bathrooms like this next to the restaurant for the convenience of my guests. I’ll need enough water, so the existing well must be expanded. How soon can you begin and finish this?”

    “I have ten workers and apprentices who can help me,” the carpenter replied. “The job isn’t too complex—mostly room renovations, redistributing spaces, and adding some unique decorations. The challenging part will be the bathrooms and water pipes. It may take up to three months to find a skilled potter and stonemason to make the pipes.”

    Luxian nodded, satisfied. Three months were faster than he had expected.

    “The tavern is made of wood, so please follow the fire prevention measures I included in my design. I don’t want all my hard work to go up in flames.”

    “Understood, sir. My team and I will begin work at the tavern tomorrow morning.”

    Afterward, Luxian and his three maids headed to the tavern where he had arranged to meet the blacksmith.

    Unrolling his sketches of medical instruments, Luxian showed them to the blacksmith. The three maids remained in the room as he explained each item and its function in detail.

    Of course, he avoided mentioning their use in surgery. If he said they were for cutting into people, he’d likely be deemed insane and thrown in jail. The most challenging item was the syringe. Without access to plastic, Luxian suggested using liuli[3] (colored glass) often used for decorative ornaments, to craft the tube. He also explained the need for a plunger mechanism, which added an extra layer of complexity.

    An even greater challenge than this, and something he had no immediate solution for, was creating IV tubes and blood bags.

    Fortunately, Luxian wasn’t too worried, as he wouldn’t be needing such items frequently. After spending a few chaotic days in this world, he realized that the concept of ‘qi energy’ was real. It was possible that pathogens and other harmful substances might be counteracted by this energy. Still, as an ‘underground doctor,’ he planned to conduct experiments before fully relying on such theories.

    After all, it would be pointless to develop blood-drawing tools only to discover that a patient’s blood was incompatible with a donor’s...

    Focus, Luxian. You’re overthinking again. In this era, the likelihood of finding blood donors was slim, and even if they existed, there was no reliable way to store the blood. At the very least, needles could still be useful for administering IV fluids if not for drawing blood. The first person to benefit might just be the overworked Dr. Chen himself.

    Sigh… Heaven, couldn’t you at least grant me some modern medical equipment? A blood centrifuge, a blood pressure monitor, or even an X-ray machine would do wonders.

    Despite the limitations of modern medicine, his knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine was sufficient to establish a reputation. The medical tools he was commissioning were simply to prepare for any eventualities and challenge himself as a doctor capable of creating everything from medicine to medical devices.

    “These items you’re requesting are quite innovative. It is challenging, but I will do my best. You need not worry,” the blacksmith said, pulling Luxian back to reality.

    “Make sure none of the tools rust. That is non-negotiable,” Luxian emphasized.

    “Understood, sir. It will take some time for me to experiment and forge rust-resistant tools.”

    “That’s fine. I’m not in a hurry; we have time,” Luxian replied, pulling out a banknote worth 100 taels. As he handed it over, he thought about the stainless steel used in modern medical instruments. What material could this blacksmith use to create rust-free, safe, and hygienic tools for him?

    “Please keep the money until you see results from my work. I can’t guarantee success. If my tools prove useful to you, you can pay me then,” the young man refused the banknote worth 100 taels with an innocent eyes.

    He accepted this job not because he was motivated by money, but by the novelty and challenge of the task.

    Respecting the blacksmith’s stance, Luxian put the banknote away, his gaze now filled with admiration for the young man. After a brief exchange of a few more words, Luxian excused himself and left.

[1] The hour of Shen refers to 3:00 PM – 4:59 PM.

[2] Tangyuan is a traditional Chinese dessert made from glutinous rice flour, shaped into small round balls with a filling inside.    

[3] Liuli refers to the ancient Chinese art of high-level glassmaking.