Qian Yongzhong nodded gratefully to Wei Zhong and thanked him, then heard Bai Qingyan say, "This ti, we have brought not only doctors and herbs but also food just in case..."
"His Majesty is considerate!" Qian Yongzhong nodded, feeling that Bai Qingyan had thought of everything, and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Today, you send people to keep watch, see how many of the common people leave the city, and then... secretly investigate which people are inciting the crowd to cause trouble today." Bai Qingyan held a teacup, occasionally stirring the floating tea leaves with the lid, "If you find suspects, you can arrest them on so other charges and hold them in prison until the epidemic is controlled, then we’ll deal with them..."
"I understand!"
Qian Yongzhong also suspected that these people were instigated by spies from Yan Kingdom; otherwise, it couldn’t have escalated this far. But he also understood that the people were already fearful; if they were arrested openly as spies, it might cause more panic, and the sense of reassurance brought by the Emperor’s presence might be diminished, causing more harm than good.
Soon, the kitchen hurriedly served the steaming breakfast, so as not to keep the Emperor waiting.
They ate at separate tables, and the relaxed manner of Bai Qingyan eased Qian Yongzhong’s tension. During the al, Bai Qingjue asked questions, and Qian Yongzhong answered respectfully, putting down his chopsticks every ti.
After dinner, Bai Qingyan instructed Qian Yongzhong to prepare the horses, intending to visit the treatnt center with her, which startled Qian Yongzhong.
"As the weather has turned cold, prepare more charcoal, quilts, and replacent cotton uniforms to be sent to the doctors at the treatnt center. Do not be stingy, take them all there after loading."
Without a word, Qian Yongzhong knelt before Bai Qingyan and said, "I cannot agree with such a risky act, Your Majesty! You, as the Emperor, risking coming here and staying in the city with the people is already enough to stabilize their hearts. It’s truly unnecessary to take risks by going to the treatnt center! That place is filled with those afflicted, and if, Heaven forbid, you were to get infected, I would owe even ten thousand deaths, and I’d be a sinner for all ti in the Zhou Dynasty! If it’s necessary, I can take the charcoal, quilts, and cotton clothes to the doctors!"
Qian Yongzhong, a man of simple education, understood that the current Zhou Dynasty Emperor, though a woman, had both the courage and capability! More importantly, she truly regarded the people as her primary concern.
Otherwise, the Emperor would not risk so much to co to the Zhou city within Yan Kingdom...
Even with soldiers in tow, traveling into Yan territory is risky, let alone with an epidemic around. He doesn’t want such an emperor to co to harm.
Bai Qingyan wiped her hands with the handkerchief Wei Zhong handed her and said, "I am more aware than you of the importance of my safety. On this journey... Doctor Hong has already grasped much about this epidemic. It is not as perilous as it seems. I’m going to the treatnt center not only to calm the fearful who think they’re awaiting death but also to reassure the doctors who ca with to Yan Kingdom, risking their lives without looking back! If they can go... I cannot hide behind and watch them risk their lives for the sake of the people!"
Doctor Hong has discovered that this epidemic resembles the previous outbreak in Jin Kingdom. Although it looks perilous once contracted, as long as care is taken not to share utensils or get too close, there won’t be any issue.
Doctor Hong, at his age, risked himself several tis to reassure those initially filled with passion but later contemplating retreat. So, what excuse does Bai Qingyan have not to go?
Only by going herself can these doctors be determined and give their all, thus... allowing the epidemic to be controlled swiftly. Otherwise, if they hesitated, even if Doctor Hong exhausts himself to death, it might not suffice.
Besides, she doesn’t live there. Compared to the doctors and young dical trainees caring for the patients at the treatnt center, what kind of risk is Bai Qingyan taking?
Qian Yongzhong is simple-minded, not thinking as deeply as Bai Qingyan, but since the Emperor took the ti to explain, he gritted his teeth and kowtowed to Bai Qingyan, "I will prepare the horses imdiately and accompany Your Majesty!"
After Qian Yongzhong left, Bai Qingjue dabbed his mouth with a kerchief and said to Bai Qingyan, "Eldest Young Lady, ti is tight, so I will not stay and accompany you. I’ll take the herbs and remaining doctors and head southeast, striving to stabilize the Zhou cities and people within Yan territory! Let them all know that you have arrived and are with them, standing together against this epidemic, don’t worry!"
"Alright..." Bai Qingyan nodded, "Be sure to be cautious on this journey. If situations like this one occur in other cities, handle them with care!"
"Yes!" Bai Qingjue bowed deeply to his sister, "Eldest Young Lady, be extrely careful, for Grandmother, Xile, and Kangle are waiting for you to return ho!"
"You too, be careful! Once the epidemic is controlled... we’ll return ho together!" Bai Qingyan smiled lightly to Bai Qingjue.
Bai Qingjue bowed again, exited the main room, and left.
Bai Qingyan changed her clothes, exited with Wei Zhong, mounted her horse, and headed toward the treatnt center with Qian Yongzhong.
The treatnt center, where the infected were treated, was outside the city. Seeing Bai Qingyan, who had only recently entered the city, now leaving under the guard of General Qian Yongzhong with an escort of guards and carts carrying supplies, the emotional people suddenly beca anxious, discussing whether the Emperor had fled.
"What nonsense! The Emperor ca here and certainly wouldn’t flee. Our Emperor has gone to the treatnt center to visit the infected people! What do you know!" snapped a soldier guarding the city gates, seeing the crowd of people gathered, discussing anxiously yet daring not to leave the city, "I prepared those horses!"
"Really... an Emperor this good? An epidemic hit here, and instead of staying far away, she actually ca? And is actually going to the treatnt center..."
"Exactly! Even the wife of Old Wang, the fritter seller, caught this disease, and both he and his son were too afraid to even visit, lest they get infected. Would the Emperor go into a pile of infected?"
"But this is the Zhou Emperor; blessed with the True Dragon Qi, surely it will heal those in the treatnt center, and definitely drive away the plague from our city!" said a grateful citizen with tears.
"Co on, that’s only if the Emperor didn’t flee but really went to the treatnt center!"
"The more you talk, the less sense you make!" A young soldier at the gate stepped forward, gripping his sword, "Those leaving, hurry up! If not, return imdiately. Have you all forgotten Master Shen’s words? Go back quickly!"
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