Anger and frustration were of no use.
Li Hui surveyed everyone in the hall and, after a mont of thought, began issuing commands.
"Academic Palace Scholars, you are to inspect the Plague Demon Talisman for effectiveness and cooperate with the garrison to trace its origins.
"Governnt Officials and constables, go to the South City Market, interview the common people, and investigate the transmission routes of the Plague Demon Talisman.
"The Taiyuan Governnt is to draft new regulations and create ergency plans for various potential situations. If necessary, temporarily shut down all the city’s newspapers and taverns—prohibiting dine-in—or even directly seal off the workshop."
Li Hui’s thoughts were clear and orderly as he issued directives to everyone, who then hastily departed from the Governor Mansion.
He let out a long breath, leaning back and slumping into his chair, his expression somber.
Plague Demon Talisman...
Li Leqing furrowed her brows and said, "Could it be the handiwork of the Wang Family?"
"It doesn’t seem likely." Li Hui shook his head. "If they had the ability to develop such talismans, they would have shifted all epidemics onto the common people long ago to preserve their family. They wouldn’t wait until now to use them. Besides, the Plague Demon Talisman would throw the city into disorder and chaos. If soone spread it maliciously, the cri would be severe enough to have them torn apart by five horses a hundred tis over. The Wang Family wouldn’t take such a risk."
After a pause, he continued slowly, "Their audacity is limited to stirring up trouble in Hedong Road or using their connections to influence the opinion of scholars, thereby affecting the Chang’an court. His Majesty even lost his temper in Yanying Hall, saying that during the lockdown of Taiyuan Prefecture, his desk was piled high with petitions pleading on behalf of the Wang Family. When we left Chang’an, the family of Dr. Wang Wenlun from the Academic Palace, who had already passed away, even staged a scene, crying at Chen Jijiu’s doorstep, begging the Sacrificial Officer to write a letter to Li Ang asking him not to be so harsh and oppressive towards the Wang Family."
Out of respect for the deceased Dr. Wang Wenlun, Li Hui refrained from harsher words, rely sighing, "The influence of the noble families in the Yu Country is still too great. Even a Pri Minister—like Minister of the Secretariat Xue Ji—considers marrying a woman from one of the Five Surnas a lifeti honor, let alone other people. If it weren’t for the impending war with the Zhou Kingdom, His Majesty would not have tacitly approved of Li Ang keeping the Wang Family confined in Taiyuan Prefecture."
Li Leqing blinked in confusion, not quite understanding his words. "What do you an?"
"The Wang Family has endured for a thousand years; who knows how many hidden Mutated Objects and Cultivators they’ve nurtured. If they weren’t afraid that direct confrontation would be deed treason, inviting devastating suppression, their resources within Taiyuan Prefecture City alone would be enough for them to rise up and slaughter everyone in the Governor Mansion. Perhaps only Duke Yan and Mr. Xi would remain unhard."
Li Hui spread his hands. "And this is just the Wang Family. The Five Families and Seven Hopes, indeed all the noble families, have never truly sided with the Yu Country. It doesn’t matter who rules the Central Plains—be it Li Yu, the Zhou Kingdom, or Taihao Mountain. They always have the leverage to negotiate with new rulers to ensure their own survival. Now that the Zhou Kingdom has Taihao Mountain’s backing, these noble families of the Five Families and Seven Hopes, long suppressed by the Academic Palace, see a chance to break free. They are growing restless and secretly contacting the Zhou Kingdom, potentially even committing treason by defecting. So, everything happening in Taiyuan Prefecture now also serves as a warning—killing the chicken to scare the monkey, so to speak—to the other noble families. It reminds them that they are, after all, still within the territory of the Yu Country."
...
Li Leqing nodded thoughtfully. These noble families are like vines clinging to a towering tree. Usually, they are harmless, even offering shade and protecting the trunk. But if an accident occurs and the tree weakens, these vines beco cold, heartless, parasitic stranglers. They wouldn’t hesitate to drain the tree of its nutrients, choking the life out of the very tree they depend on.
After pondering for a mont, she asked, "Do we need to inform Risheng?"
Li Hui shook his head. "Not for now. We’re still unsure if the Plague Demon Talisman is even effective, so let’s not worry him yet. The antidote is the most critical thing. As long as we have the dicine, any sche or conspiracy can be crushed..."
Before he could finish speaking, a guard ca to report that Wang Bo Fan of the Taiyuan Wang Family requested an audience.
The siblings exchanged surprised glances. Wang Bo Fan was one of the Wang Family’s future candidates for Clan Chief. Due to the recent deaths and injuries among his family mbers, the Wang Family had rarely contacted the Governor Mansion these past few days, maintaining their silence.
As this was unusual, Li Hui nodded to Li Leqing. Having no official duties, she rose and walked to the side hall.
The guard led Wang Bo Fan into the main hall of the Governor Mansion. As soon as they t, after a few pleasantries, Wang Bo Fan nervously produced a Plague Demon Talisman and said, "Prince Yue, this is an Evil Demon talisman that my family mbers just confiscated from the streets. Soone must be spreading it secretly, aiming to thwart Taiyuan Prefecture’s efforts to contain the plague."
"I’m already aware of this. I just instructed the garrison to investigate." Li Hui glanced at the Plague Demon Talisman Wang Bo Fan had brought and said with a smile, "Nevertheless, I appreciate the reminder, Wang Jushi."
"Prince Yue already knows? That’s good." Wang Bo Fan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "The million inhabitants of Taiyuan Prefecture are enduring the ravages of the plague, and now they must also suffer the instigations of vile and treacherous individuals. It is entirely thanks to Prince Yue and Observer Li, who ca to our rescue in this ti of crisis, that we have not fallen into an abyss of despair..."
Wang Bo Fan quoted so classics and offered more flattery before finally leaving the Plague Demon Talisman, bidding farewell, and departing from the Governor Mansion.
...
Li Hui watched the retreating figure of the Wang Family’s future Clan Chief, then looked at the Plague Demon Talisman on the table, his brows tightly knit.
If it wasn’t the Wang Family’s doing, then who could be causing trouble in the shadows?
***
The power struggles among Yu Country’s upper echelons were unknown to the common people of Taiyuan Prefecture. They could only witness what happened around them and what the newspapers told them.
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