After traveling for four or five days, Wen Qingci and Song Junran finally arrived at Yongting Prefecture by carriage.
Lianhe County is located among the mountains. If you go further, you can no longer take a car.
Seeing this, Song Junran looked at Wen Qingci with some concern.
Although he couldn't see his face clearly because of the veil, Song Junran could still tell from his slightly unsteady steps that Wen Qingci was not in good condition: "Rest in Yongting Mansion first, and then go into the mountains tomorrow."
Wen Qingci did not try to be brave: "Okay."
After getting off the carriage, the two went straight into the city.
Yongting Prefecture is surrounded by mountains that look down on the city like dark shadows. In addition, there are dark clouds in the sky today that will not dissipate. People who are in it feel very depressed.
As soon as he entered the city gate, Wen Qingci looked at Song Junran. He saw deep worry in the other's eyes.
It was afternoon, but the long street, which should have been bustling, was empty.
The doors and windows of the shops were closed, and only the footsteps of Wen Qingci and Song Junran echoed in their ears again and again.
"…According to Bai Zhiyuan, until he left Yongting Mansion and returned to the valley, this place was still the same as usual, except that there were some patients from Lianhe County staying in the clinic." Perhaps because the surroundings were too quiet, Song Junran couldn't help but lower his voice, "But within ten days, Yongting Mansion has changed."
Incense burning was popular in the Wei Dynasty, so the people also attached great importance to "qi".
Before arriving at Yongting Prefecture, they covered their mouths and noses with layers of white gauze as per custom.
Song Junran's voice came through the gauze and sounded a little unreal.
But Wen Qingci still detected unusual nervousness in his tone.
The situation might be more serious than they originally thought.
"Master, why are you here at this time?" The owner of the clinic was surprised to see Song Junran's sudden visit, "Quick! Come to the back yard."
At the same time, he turned around with a little curiosity and looked at Wen Qingci and asked, "I wonder what I should call this young man?"
The man not only covered his mouth and nose with white gauze, he even wore a veil, so his appearance could not be seen at all.
It is different from the clinic in Songxiu Mansion which has the closest connection with the Divine Doctor Valley.
The owner of this clinic had never seen Wen Qingci before and didn't know that he was still alive.
Without waiting for Wen Qingci to answer, Song Junran said first: "Just call him Qingqing. He is the medicine servant of the valley. He is still young and has just come out to venture into the world."
After saying that, he raised his eyebrows towards Wen Qingci with satisfaction: "You must follow me closely. Without my order, you are not allowed to move around at will."
Wen Qingci:
Song Junran must have done this on purpose!
"I see." Wen Qingci's figure was thin and looked like a teenager, so the boss didn't think much about it. "Master of the Valley, Young Master Qingqing, this way—"
Through the veil, the boss couldn't see Wen Qingci's complicated look.
After a pause, he could only compromise: "… Just call me by my single name."
"Qing Shao Xia" sounds better than the reduplicated word, right
"Okay!" The boss agreed and took them into the clinic through the side door and to the living area.
"Didn't Bai Zhiyuan say that everything in Yongting Mansion is the same as usual?" Song Junran asked the first time.
The owner of the clinic pursed his lips and replied, "That was true when he left, but right after he left, many people fled from Lianhe. Some people who were not infected came here to stay with their relatives, and some patients went straight to the clinic... Some even slept on the streets. Since then, the entire Yongting Prefecture has become nervous, and every household has stayed indoors."
"… It turns out that the people from Lianhe County escaped here." Song Junran murmured.
Wen Qingci, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly asked, "Has the plague spread in Yongting Prefecture?"
The owner of the clinic quickly replied, "That's not the case! All the patients are from Lianhe."
Seeing this, Wen Qingci breathed a sigh of relief.
This is a blessing in disguise.
As they were talking, they had already arrived at the courtyard.
This place is also full of patients.
Wen Qingci went straight forward to check his pulse, and seeing this, Song Junran followed him.
Why is the Valley Master following behind a medicine servant
The owner of the clinic always felt that the scene before him was strange, but the situation was tense now, so he didn't think too much about it.
The patient had a weak pulse and a sallow complexion, and lay there motionless.
While the two were taking the pulse, the owner of the clinic said, "When they first came here, they were sore all over, weak, dizzy, and later started to have a fever. I heard that the patients over at Lianhe gradually lost consciousness, their limbs became cold, and they passed out... Then they succumbed to the disease and died."
These patients did not have respiratory symptoms and the disease did not spread in Yongting Province.
At first glance... it looks like a water plague originating from Lianhe County.
However, Bai Zhiyuan had asked the patients and learned from them that Lianhe County is located deep in the mountains and the people use water from streams and rivers for their daily consumption and drinking.
And there is no pollution in those streams and rivers.
Song Junran also thought of this.
Seeing the doubt in the other person's eyes, Wen Qingci slowly took his hand away from the patient's wrist, and then said softly: "This matter requires an on-site visit to know, we can't just listen to the patient's words."
"Yeah." Song Junran nodded. He also agreed with Wen Qingci's opinion.
The two men did not rest, but took the pulse and read the medical records one by one.
After finishing all this work, it was already evening without me noticing.
"The prescriptions given by the clinic are all suitable for the symptoms, and it seems there is no problem." After checking everything around, Song Junran turned around and said to Wen Qingci.
But the effect is always minimal.
Wen Qingci nodded slowly and continued very naturally: "… We should first find out which organ the plague affects."
If you don't understand this, you can only prescribe some ordinary medicines for treating fever and dizziness based on the symptoms.
These drugs don't have much effect.
He didn't notice that after hearing what he said, Song Junran and the owner of the clinic next to him both changed their expressions.
"Young Master Qing, do you want to..." "Do you want to dissect the body?"
The owner of the clinic was startled. He cleared his throat halfway through his words and swallowed the rest of his sentence.
But his expression had become extremely ugly.
If he remembered correctly, the only person who often did this kind of thing seemed to be... the late Second Valley Master.
Wen Qingci said this as if it was a matter of course, and at first glance he did not realize why the other person's expression suddenly changed.
Fortunately, Song Junran reacted.
He paused and said, "Qingqing... is taught by the Second Valley Master, so she can be considered his disciple."
“…Oh!” The clinic owner nodded quickly and took a step back, moving a little further away from Wen Qingci.
The original owner's behavior was an anomaly even in the valley.
Everyone in the valley grew up with Wen Qingci and has gradually become accustomed to this, but the owner of this clinic is different.
Although he did not know this "Qingqing", the owner of the clinic suddenly remembered the rumors about his "master" Wen Qingci.
He, who just wanted to get close to the Valley Master, now had the idea of sending the two giant Buddhas away.
"Valley Master, Young Master Qing, come this way." He led the two to a secluded place and said in a low voice, "Although there are many patients in Yongting Mansion, the course of this disease is not fast. Although there are many patients in the clinic who are on their deathbed, no one has died yet."
"Well, if Young Master Qing really wants it... then you'll probably have to go to Lianhe County to find it."
What he said was indeed true.
The patients who were able to cross mountains and rivers to come to Yongting Prefecture for treatment had relatively mild symptoms, and Wen Qingci could not find any bodies here.
Wen Qingci nodded slowly. He originally just wanted to stay in Yongting Prefecture for one night.
Unexpectedly, sensing that the other party was trying to stay away from Wen Qingci, Song Junran suddenly said, "What? Can't wait to see you off?"
Although he also disapproved of Wen Qingci's actions, he had once had a conflict with Wen Qingci over this matter.
But now, seeing others "disdaining" his junior brother because of this, Song Junran felt a little unhappy.
Some of the patients who come to Yongting Prefecture stay with their relatives.
Just as they finished talking in a secluded place, they heard voices coming from the front hall of the clinic.
—It turned out that someone came here to get medicine for a relative.
"Valley Master," Wen Qingci reached out and tugged at Song Junran's sleeve upon hearing the noise coming from the front, and reminded him in a low voice, "The boss is right."
Under the white veil, no one saw the corners of Song Junran's lips slightly raised.
This seemed to be the first time Wen Qingci called himself "Valley Master"
When he called him "Senior Brother" before, Song Junran didn't think anything of it, but now he felt that he was trusted by the other party.
He enjoyed this feeling very much.
"Ahem," Song Junran pretended to cough twice, "Okay, let's talk about it tomorrow."
Wen Qingci and Song Junran came to the front hall and started chatting with the man while getting the medicine.
Then he learned that Bai Zhiyuan's previous feeling was not wrong. Until he left Yongting Prefecture, the situation in Lianhe County was not very serious.
But within a few days, the disease suddenly broke out. Hearing this, Wen Qingci couldn't help but feel a little worried.
He clenched his fists.
If this is the case, then would the news from Lianhe County not have reached the provincial capital in time
Therefore, they are not taken seriously and do not receive timely assistance
The next day, before dawn, Wen Qingci and Song Junran set out for Lianhe County.
It rained last night, and the already narrow mountain path became even more muddy.
The speed at which they walked also slowed down a lot.
Not to mention that not long after they walked, they saw many people fleeing from Lianhe County.
Even... I saw someone die on the road.
It is still raining heavily.
There was a deafening cry in my ears.
The scenes in Shanyujian, accompanied by the incessant sound of rain, replayed in Wen Qingci's mind.
The heavy rain turned into fog, and no one noticed that Wen Qingci's body was trembling slightly.
After most of the day, the two finally arrived in Lianhe County.
The rain in the mountains and forests had not stopped yet, and the streets were almost empty. Only in the wasteland not far away were there new graves.
At this time, this place has become a dead city.
—
A few days ago, Taishu Palace.
Before daybreak, Prince Heng Xie Guanzhi hurried into the palace and came to the Imperial Medical Bureau to ask to see Xie Bufeng.
He waited outside for a long time and was finally summoned in.
"Today is a day off. Prince Heng will come to the palace early this morning. What's the important matter?"
Xie Bufeng's slightly low voice came from the long steps.
After he finished speaking, he gently put the memorial in his hand aside, then picked up another one to review, without even looking at Xie Guanzhi from beginning to end.
He didn't ask him to excuse himself, so Xie Guanzhi continued to kneel on the ground.
Even in the middle of summer, the stone floor was still freezing cold.
It is not yet the hour of Mao, which is normally the time for Xie Guanzhi to go to bed. However, he does not feel sleepy at all today.
Xie Bufeng had suddenly caused such a big incident, and now he was sitting here reviewing memorials as if nothing had happened? !
Seeing this, Xie Guanzhi could not help but grit his teeth and asked straight to the point: "I came here today to know what the imperial edict Your Majesty just issued means?"
Xie Bufeng was not used to having people around him, so there were only him and Xie Guanzhi in the side hall.
After the young man finished speaking, there was only dead silence around him.
After being silent for an unknown amount of time, Xie Bufeng finally put down what he was holding and looked down at Xie Guanzhi: "Your Highness Prince Heng, are you dissatisfied with the imperial edict?"
His tone was exceptionally calm.
But Xie Guanzhi couldn't be as calm as him.
The young man finally couldn't help but glance at Xie Bufeng.
The young emperor sitting behind the desk had a hint of fatigue between his brows, but he still looked sober.
He didn't look drunk as Xie Guanzhi had imagined on the way here.
—Just now, late at night, someone from the palace suddenly went to Xie Guanzhi’s residence and issued an imperial decree.
The imperial edict said that in order to understand the people's sentiments, the current emperor would leave the palace early in the morning and tour the territory privately.
During this period, Heng Wang Xie Guanzhi was in charge of regulating the country.
Let’s not discuss why Xie Bufeng suddenly decided to “privately investigate the people’s sentiments”.
Just the two words "Regent" were enough to wake Xie Guanzhi up from his sleep.
After Xie Bufeng ascended the throne, he sent all the concubines and male favorites of the deposed emperor out of the palace.
Now Concubine Hui lives in Xie Guanzhi's mansion.
She and Xie Guanzhi received the imperial edict together. After hearing the imperial edict, she couldn't help but gasp and screamed softly.
"This, this is Xie Bufeng... Ah, no, your majesty, what do you mean by this?"
Concubine Hui was so frightened by Xie Bufeng's imperial edict that she became incoherent and almost called out the other party's name.
Although there is no explicit rule, everyone knows that in all dynasties only the crown prince is qualified to be the "regent".
When he was on his southern tour, the deposed emperor was unwilling to give his own son Xie Guanzhi the title of "Regent".
But I didn't expect that today, Xie Bufeng would be so generous to issue such an imperial decree.
After reading the imperial edict, the eunuch left Prince Heng's mansion without leaving anyone any chance to ask more questions.
In the front yard of Prince Heng's mansion, everyone who was awakened from their deep sleep looked at each other in bewilderment.
At this time, Xie Guanzhi also exchanged glances with Concubine Hui.
Concubine Hui, who had been patient for a long time, could not help but lower her voice, walked over and said the words that had been lingering in her heart: "... So, does His Majesty mean to let Your Highness be... the Crown Prince?"
She wanted to ask Xie Bufeng if he was crazy.
At the same time, I couldn't help but feel waves of joy in my heart, and I was completely no longer sleepy.
“… No, I don’t know either.” Until now, Xie Guanzhi felt as if he was still in a dream and had not woken up.
It was not until he immersed his face in cold water to calm down for a while, and then stood up and read the imperial edict several times, that Xie Guanzhi realized clearly that what had just happened was not a dream.
Xie Bufeng really made himself the "regent"!
It was still midnight when the imperial edict arrived at Xie Guanzhi's residence.
But this news will surely spread throughout Yongdu in no time.
It will definitely cause a huge uproar at that time.
Without caring about anything else, Xie Guanzhi rode his horse directly to Taishu Palace and arrived outside the Imperial Medical Bureau at the hour of Mao.
He wanted to come and clarify the matter in person.
“… I dare not.”
The coldness seeped from the stone bricks into his knees bit by bit, and Xie Guanzhi finally calmed down completely.
"Your Majesty, why did you suddenly—"
Before he could finish his words, Xie Bufeng, who was sitting behind the desk, stood up.
Xie Guanzhi, who had just calmed down, noticed that although Xie Bufeng was wearing a black robe as usual, the style of the clothes he was wearing was very ordinary and not used by emperors.
The faint smoke from the Boshan stove enveloped Xie Bufeng's body.
He said: "It will take at least a month for me to visit the people privately, and the court must be in good condition. Moreover, everything... has risks. If something unexpected happens to me, with Prince Heng as regent, the court will not fall into chaos."
Xie Bufeng's tone was exceptionally calm.
But his words made Xie Guanzhi break out in a cold sweat.
Everyone knows that Xie Bufeng is an emperor who fought his way out of the desperate battlefield of Beidi with his sword.
He himself is a master of martial arts and no one can defeat him.
Moreover, when Xie Bufeng went on "private visits to understand the people's sentiments", he would always be accompanied by attendants to ensure his safety.
But listening to Xie Bufeng's tone, why did he sound like he was sure that something would really happen to him
What on earth is he going to do on this trip...
"It's settled," Xie Bufeng said as he walked down the long steps. "I have already made arrangements for Yongdu's military defense and other matters. They are all in the memorial on the table. You can go and see for yourself."
"By then, if any of the court officials are dissatisfied, you can directly mobilize the troops."
It turns out that Xie Bufeng was busy with this matter just now
Xie Bufeng is the emperor, and no one can stop what he decides.
Hearing this, Xie Guanzhi’s heart sank.
He wanted to ask something else, but by the time he reacted, Xie Bufeng had disappeared from his sight.
It all happened so suddenly.
Several dark black carriages stopped outside the Imperial Medical Bureau early in the morning.
It was filled with imperial guards and doctors, and was also filled with various medicinal herbs.
On this trip, Xie Bufeng did not choose to completely hide his identity, but instead pretended to be an "inspector" and went to Lianhe County.
Although he was well prepared, he knew from several battles on the battlefield that there was no distinction between status and position when it came to life and death.
Even if he is an emperor, he must die when it is time to die.
Xie Bufeng wanted to meet Wen Qingci very much.
But at the same time, he was prepared for the worst.
This was the first time that Xie Bufeng acted so recklessly in political affairs after he became emperor.
The carriage drove out of Taishu Palace, and Xie Bufeng, who was exhausted after several days, slowly closed his eyes.
Now the world is settled.
He thought that if something unexpected really happened to him, Xie Guanzhi would be able to protect Wei Dynasty.
I don't think Wen Qingci will blame me.
Xie Bufeng's trip is not an adventure.
He knew exactly what he wanted to do and the risks involved.
As the carriage left Yongdu, Xie Bufeng subconsciously touched the wool bracelet on his wrist.
His movements were still so careful.
After a while, the young emperor in black clothes slowly raised his wrist and placed a kiss on the small bracelet with great affection.
And tried to find the familiar bitter fragrance from the bloodstain.
*
Lianhe County is not big, and Wen Qingci and Song Junran walked around the place in no time.
They saw that the clinic here was already overcrowded. Most of the patients were now staying at home, and some of the dying ones were carried to the wasteland of Lianhe County.
It seemed as if they were waiting for them to die and then bury them directly in the soil.
Although this place is a wilderness, no one knows who lit the incense and where.
The strong and pungent smell penetrated the veil and gauze curtain and reached Wen Qingci's nose.
Wen Qingci and Song Junran came with medicine boxes.
Just now when they were walking on the streets of Lianhe County, they met countless people asking them for help, and the two of them also distributed a lot of pills.
But here...
Even if there were people awake who saw Wen Qingci and Song Junran, they would just glance at them and leave it at that, without any expression or request for help.
Obviously he has accepted his fate.
Wen Qingci saw from afar that not far away there was a boy of about sixteen or seventeen lying on a thin wooden board.
His face was sallow, and his chest was barely rising or falling. He looked like he was on his deathbed.
A woman was lying beside the young man, sobbing uncontrollably.
He was the youngest patient in the nearby wasteland.
Go find him.
Through his body, we can find out which organ the plague affects.
At some point, the tragic scene in Shanyujian merged with the scenes before my eyes.
For a moment, Wen Qingci could not tell whether what he saw before his eyes was a scene in his memory or a real scene.
Under the veil, the pair of dark eyes had become unclear at some point.
At this moment, Wen Qingci had only one thought in his mind:
The cause of the disease must be found out as soon as possible without any delay.
Seeing the young man from afar, Wen Qingci couldn't help but tighten the handle of the medicine box.
After hesitating for a moment, he couldn't help but take a step and head towards there.
As far as memory goes, the original owner would seek his own opinion on most of the autopsies.
"—Wait," Song Junran grabbed Wen Qingci and pulled his fellow apprentice back with all his strength. He lowered his voice and said in Wen Qingci's ear, "I know what you want to do, but don't go over there now."
Song Junran was startled by his junior brother's actions. Without time to think, he directly grabbed Wen Qingci's injured left hand.
Then there was a pain that went up his arm and into his brain, barely bringing Wen Qingci back to his senses a little.
"If you go up and tell me about the autopsy, you'll definitely get into trouble."
At that time, being kicked out would probably be the lightest punishment.
Wen Qingci understood what Song Junran meant.
"But there are people everywhere around the wasteland, I can't just..." I can't just start digging.
Under the urging of the voice in his heart, he couldn't help but feel a little anxious.
"Ah..." Song Junran sighed helplessly, and after a moment of silence, he said, "This piece of wasteland should have been designated by the government. We... why don't we go find someone from the government? Maybe... someone will try to save our situation."
When saying this, Song Junran couldn't help feeling a little guilty.
He actually didn't think that there would be anyone in the government who would allow Wen Qingci to do such a thing.
However, the two men were obviously dressed as outsiders, and after staying in the wasteland for a while, they had attracted the attention of some people.
It might not be a good idea to stay any longer.
After saying this, Song Junran immediately dragged Wen Qingci away from here and headed towards the government office they had just passed by.
Wen Qingci was silent for a moment, then nodded slowly.
Lianhe County was not big, and it took the two of them only an incense stick of time to walk back to the government office.
Just now the two of them had only seen this place from a distance, but now as they got closer they saw that the open space outside the mansion was filled with patients who could not be accommodated in the clinic.
After seeing Wen Qingci and Song Jun coming here with a medicine box, his originally empty and confused eyes suddenly showed a little more life.
After a pause of a few seconds, the patients who were still able to walk freely surrounded the two people.
Countless pairs of skinny hands reached out to them.
"Doctor, doctor, save me..."
"Look at me, what kind of disease is this?"
The patient's eyes were filled with pleading.
The city's medical clinics were overcrowded, and even the medicinal materials had been used up completely.
The two people in front of me who are carrying medicine boxes are the hope of life.
For a moment, the surroundings were in chaos.
Wen Qingci and Song Junran were also forced directly to the gate of the government office.
"Wait, wait!" Song Junran stretched out his arm and stopped the man here, "Wait a moment, speak slowly!" At the same time, he turned and looked towards the red gate of the government office.
However, before he could figure out how to get in, or who to talk to about this matter.
The slightly mottled vermilion door of the government office was suddenly pushed open.
A row of officers and soldiers trotted out.
"—Get out of the way, everyone!"
Hearing the noise here, Wen Qingci's gaze also passed over the patients' shoulders and fell towards a place not far away.
He saw, accompanied by a loud creaking sound and the loud shouts of the guards, several dark black carriages appeared on the other side of the long street. They rolled through the mud and in the blink of an eye, rushed towards the government office.
Like a flash of black lightning, it flashed by.
Mud and water splashed and fell heavily to the ground.
The patients around immediately scattered.
The strong wind opened a tiny gap in the bamboo curtains of one of the carriages.
The faint scent of incense in the carriage flowed out without warning.
Wen Qingci subconsciously turned his head and inadvertently looked at the last carriage.
(End of this chapter)