Chapter 423: Xie Shi'an's Whereabouts
Yun Chu sat steadily behind the beaded curtain and spoke unhurriedly.
"Changgān County is the epicenter of the epidemic, where the majority have contracted the disease. We should establish it as our base for treatment."
"First, gather all physicians and doctors in the county town. This will draw all infected individuals to Changgān County. The doctors can diagnose patients, collectively prescribe remedies, brew medicines, and implement unified management. Set up checkpoints at the city gates—allow entry only, no exit—to enforce strict control."
"Those afflicted by the plague exhibit clear symptoms: reddened eyes and darkened lips. This makes screening straightforward. Deploy guards to rigorously screen for the sick in all nearby counties and villages. Anyone found infected should be sent to Changgān County for treatment. Suspected cases should be isolated and managed separately..."
Yun Chu laid out the plan methodically.
The ministers below fell silent for a moment.
Though not the optimal strategy, it was far better than the worst-case approach—at least it wouldn't incite public outrage.
However, implementation would be challenging.
Moreover, Changgān County was the hardest-hit area by the plague, and no official was willing to go there.
"I am willing to go."
A young voice rang out.
The court officials turned in unison—it was the former Seventh Prince, now Prince Shun, only thirteen years old this year.
Prince Shun stepped to the center of the hall, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, I am willing to go to Changgān County to manage the plague. I beg for your approval."
Prince Shun's birth mother was Consort Shu, who was on good terms with Yun Chu. Naturally, Yun Chu trusted Prince Shun unconditionally, but he was too young. If he contracted the plague... Back then, Shu Fei had taken risks to administer medicine to the late emperor, providing significant assistance. If anything happened to Prince Shun, Yun Chu would have no face to meet Shu Fei again...
"Let me go instead," Lord Xiang stepped forward. "I am the Grand Preceptor of the court, but with no Crown Prince currently, I have little to do. Allow me to handle the plague."
Yun Chu spoke, "Today, we will first gather physicians and medical supplies. Tomorrow at the morning court, I will decide who will go."
After the court session ended.
The Seventh Prince, Prince Shun, approached Yun Chu and said with cupped hands, "I sincerely wish to go to Changgān County. May I ask what concerns the Empress Dowager has?"
"Speaking of this matter is easy, but carrying it out is exceptionally difficult. You are not yet equipped to handle it," Yun Chu replied. "You currently have a post in the Ministry of Personnel. Focus on gaining experience there first."
"The Empress Dowager is worried I might come to harm in Changgān County, isn't she?" Prince Shun lifted his head. "I was born a royal son—I cannot only seek enjoyment. I must also shoulder responsibilities. The Emperor is still young, and there are those coveting the throne in the shadows. As his imperial uncle, it is my duty to ease his burdens. I beg the Empress Dowager to grant me this opportunity."
Yun Chu shook her head.
The plague was more merciless than swords—it would not spare anyone, royal or not.
At such a time, experienced individuals should be dispatched, not...
Just as she was about to speak, Consort Shu's voice reached her ears: "Empress Dowager, let him go. He has had ambitions since childhood, but I have always restrained him."
Consort Shu sighed.
Her maternal family was only a mid-level fourth-rank household, moderate and unable to offer any assistance. She did not want her son entangled in court struggles, so she had always kept a low profile.
But now, the contention for the throne had reached a conclusion. At a time like this, when talent was needed, if her seventh son wished to step forward, she would let him.Yun Chu glanced at Consort Shu, then turned her gaze to Prince Shun, understanding that the mother and son were of one mind. She nodded and said, "Prince Shun is still young and needs guidance. I shall assign Lord Xiang and the Seventh Prince to accompany him. How does that sound?"
Consort Shu was overjoyed. "That would be perfect."
Yun Chu smiled. "Seventh Prince, as a prince, Lord Xiang will naturally defer to you in all matters. But remember, he has more experience in handling patients. Observe and learn more, speak less. Understood?"
Prince Shun bowed. "Your subject understands. Thank you, Empress Dowager."
However, before the court assembly the next day could formalize this arrangement, another message arrived from Ningzhou.
"Reporting to Your Majesty and the Empress, a medicine woman has appeared near Ningzhou, bestowing Sweet Dew upon the afflicted. Those who drink it recover without medicine, and she has been hailed as the Heavenly Maiden."
"Prince Cheng has invited the Heavenly Maiden to distribute Sweet Dew in Ningzhou City, along with porridge and medicine, to calm the people. The commoners from nearby areas have flocked there, and the plague has thus been resolved."
"The court need not send anyone else."
Yun Chu's brow furrowed slightly.
Heavenly Maiden?
She had never heard of this title.
Something felt amiss.
"Lord Xiang, Prince Shun, you two must still go," Yun Chu declared. "Prince Cheng's distribution of porridge and medicine requires silver, which the court will naturally provide. After arriving in Ningzhou, assist Prince Cheng with the aftermath."
Lord Xiang and Prince Shun stepped forward. "Yes, Empress Dowager."
After the court session, Yun Chu grew increasingly uneasy.
If the plague was truly so severe and widespread, it was impossible for an unknown medicine woman to resolve it with some Sweet Dew.
Returning to Kunning Palace, she unfolded a map.
The nearest major city to Ningzhou was Jizhou.
"Jizhou..." Yun Chu's finger paused. "Qiutong, have there been any recent news of Xie Shi'an?"
Qiutong replied, "After Yuan Shi returned to Jizhou with Xie Shikang and Xie Shiwei, they moved into the Xie family ancestral home. Xie Shi'an has taken up trade, sourcing goods from other regions and selling them in Jizhou. He should be traveling for goods at this time."
"Not necessarily..." Yun Chu's eyes darkened. "He is not one to rest on his laurels."
Among scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, merchants were the lowest class. Xie Shi'an, with his lofty ambitions, would never be content as a mere merchant.
To rise above his station, he would have to attach himself to someone powerful... Throughout the Great Jin, the only one who might be swayed by Xie Shi'an's words was likely the Sixth Prince, Prince Cheng.
She suspected Xie Shi'an was by Prince Cheng's side.
But she couldn't fathom why they would fabricate a Heavenly Maiden. What was their purpose?
Soon, however, Yun Chu guessed the reason.
In the following days, the fame of the Heavenly Maiden spread far and wide, reaching even the commoners in the capital.
Lord Xiang, who had gone to Ningzhou, wrote back saying that more and more people from various cities were swarming to Ningzhou, seeking the Heavenly Maiden's Sweet Dew.
The Sweet Dew was increasingly mythologized, rumored to cure all ailments with a single sip—a divine, heaven-sent holy water.
Ningzhou City, originally with a population of sixty to seventy thousand, now saw its numbers surge to nearly two hundred thousand due to the Heavenly Maiden's Sweet Dew, with no signs of slowing down."Cheng Wang is plotting a rebellion!" Even Chu Hongyu, a mere child, could see the situation clearly. "He only has a thousand manor soldiers under his command, and the Ningzhou garrison numbers no more than three thousand. With so few troops, he devised this scheme to gather everyone together. Does he intend to oppose the capital?"
None of the court officials were fools either. All eyes simultaneously fell upon Lord Yuan.
Lord Yuan was the elder brother of Consort Yuan and the maternal uncle of Cheng Wang, holding a third-rank position in the court.
He dropped to his knees with a thud: "I beg Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager to see the truth—I knew nothing of this matter and had no idea what Cheng Wang intended to do..."
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