PDLP Chapter 320 Start taking action
Chapter 320 Start taking action
"So many imperial physicians?" Si Qing saw Chief Physician Zhou and immediately ran up to him to speak.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuanzheng nodded: "Firstly, the doctors from the Imperial Hospital and the capital city were unwilling to see the plague spread and volunteered to go. Secondly, His Majesty was worried about the Prince and issued an imperial edict ordering all of us to go to Longzhou."
"Fortunately, Longzhou is only two days' journey from the capital, and with favorable winds, we arrived in Longzhou in just one and a half days." Looking at Si Qing's anxious expression, Zhou Yuanzheng suddenly had a flash of inspiration and his voice became extremely low.
He looked around, his voice filled with unease: "Commander Si, tell me the truth, did you go to Yongcheng?"
As the most skilled physician in the entire Dali Kingdom, Chief Physician Zhou could naturally see that Si Qing's expression was off, and that Si Qing and his two subordinates also had a strong smell of mugwort on them.
Why would you burn mugwort for no reason?
It's probably for epidemic prevention.
Zhou Yuanzheng had a sharp eye, and Si Qing was ashamed of his own. He could only tell the truth: "We were ordered by the Prince to go to Yongcheng to investigate. Before we even entered the city gate, we discovered that something was wrong with Yongcheng."
“Yongcheng is famous for its artemisia annua. We pretended to be medicine merchants to buy it, but the guards said they had run out of artemisia annua. Moreover, we waited at the city gate for a long time and only saw people going in, not coming out. We guessed that there must be a plague in the city and the prefect ordered the city to be sealed off.”
Upon hearing this, Dean Zhou nodded: "According to what you're saying, it's highly likely to be a plague."
Aside from natural disasters like plagues, what else could possibly warrant the Yongcheng prefect sealing off the city?
This is during a time of peace!
Thinking of this, Dean Zhou's expression became even more serious: "In that case, we should make preparations as soon as possible."
“I will go with you to see the Prince.” Chief Physician Zhou patted Si Qing on the shoulder. “I’m afraid I will have to take the lead in this matter.”
Zhou Yuanzheng was ignorant of politics and power struggles, but he knew that once the plague in Yongcheng spread, it would put the entire Jiangnan region in danger.
Then came the capital city.
If this matter is not handled properly, the entire Dali Kingdom may be plunged into utter ruin.
Suddenly, Dean Zhou felt the burden on his shoulders growing heavier.
Si Qing had the utmost respect for Dean Zhou's abilities, and upon hearing this, he immediately led Dean Zhou to the ship at full speed.
To prevent the spread of disease, all the ships heading south were anchored at the dock, and no one disembarked except for essential purchases.
When Xie Jinghan heard that Si Qing and Dean Zhou were requesting an audience together, his handsome face immediately darkened.
Zhou Yuanzheng arrived at just the right time, but Si Qing...
If they wanted to investigate in Yongcheng, it would take at least four days to travel back and forth, but Si Qing returned in just two days.
Either everything is normal in Yongcheng, or... the problems in Yongcheng are so serious that they are obvious at a glance.
Xie Jinghan, however, preferred the latter.
This guess was confirmed after Si Qing spoke.
“Entry into Yongcheng is permitted, but exit is not.” Si Qing stood in front of Xie Jinghan and said solemnly, “I’m afraid there really is a plague.”
"After discovering this, our subordinates rushed back immediately." As Si Qing spoke, he cautiously glanced at Xie Jinghan. "Your Highness, what do you think...? Should we thoroughly infiltrate the city to investigate this matter, or...?"
"Lead the troops to Yongcheng," Xie Jinghan said in a deep voice. "This matter cannot be delayed."
Given the strict management in Yongcheng, the situation must have reached a critical juncture.
Sending someone to investigate would just be a waste of time.
As Xie Jinghan spoke, he glanced to the side out of the corner of his eye.
Si Qing didn't need to guess to know that Xie Jinghan was looking at Wen Shuyao.
He was also well aware that Xie Jinghan was unwilling to bring Wen Shuyao on this trip to Yongcheng.
—A natural disaster like a plague can easily take lives if one is not careful. Even with so many imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital around, Xie Jinghan would not feel comfortable taking Wen Shuyao with him to Yongcheng.
Zhou Yuanzheng stood aside, pondering what prescription to use for this plague.
In fact, the Imperial Medical Academy has preserved all kinds of prescriptions, especially those related to plague, which have been verified by many parties—these prescriptions for treating plague must be genuine and effective.
However, the dosage of medicine varies from person to person, and with only a few dozen imperial physicians and doctors, it would probably be insufficient to treat the entire population of Yongcheng.
After pondering for a moment, he looked at Xie Jinghan and said, "Your Highness, if we want to completely eradicate the plague, we will probably need the help of the doctors from Jiangnan."
"Jiangnan has many highly skilled doctors, as well as the most pharmacies and clinics in the world. With their help, I am eighty percent confident that we can overcome this plague."
Hearing what Dean Zhou said, Xie Jinghan frowned slightly.
It is unlikely that President Zhou's request will be fulfilled.
After a moment, Chief Physician Zhou added, "Doctors are benevolent; if His Highness issues an edict, many doctors should respond."
"There are many doctors in Jiangnan..." Xie Jinghan pondered for a moment, then said tactfully, "But there are also many aristocratic families."
At such times, powerful families would likely be filled with anxiety and would rush to take good doctors into their own homes in case of emergency.
“If we wait until we make a move,” Xie Jinghan said in a somber tone, “they will probably all be gone.”
The words that Zhou Yuanzheng was about to say were swallowed back down. He was not very familiar with the situation in the court, and naturally did not know that the powerful families in Jiangnan could wield such influence.
"But if it's just a few dozen of us..."
“However, I have another way.” Xie Jinghan narrowed his peach blossom eyes slightly and smiled meaningfully. “It can gather all these doctors together and also curb the arrogance of the Jiangnan aristocratic families.”
As he spoke, the names of many people flashed through his mind.
After a moment, he waved to Si Qing.
Si Qing understood and immediately stepped forward.
"Spread the word about the plague in Yongcheng immediately," Xie Jinghan instructed. "I want the news to have spread throughout all thirteen prefectures of Jiangnan within three days."
Si Qing's face showed shock: "But if we do that, won't all the powerful families know about it?"
"Once they find out, they'll rush to bring the best doctors home first," Xie Jinghan added slowly and deliberately for Si Qing.
Si Qing paused, then told him directly that Xie Jinghan's plan was related to this.
"At that time, I will lead my troops to surround this noble family," Xie Jinghan said casually, "and then snatch the doctor back."
"If anyone disobeys..." Xie Jinghan's voice was calm, but his killing intent was clear, "...he will kill them without mercy."
His trip to Jiangnan was not solely for these river bandits.
The powerful families of Jiangnan were also one of the emperor's biggest concerns.
The Jiangnan region is wealthy, and the imperial power there has been greatly weakened. In addition, the powerful families have been deliberately creating this situation, so even if an imperial edict were presented now, they might not necessarily comply.