Denghuaxiao

Chapter 224 Journey

October Festival is almost the beginning of winter.

A thin layer of ice gradually formed on the surface of the Guangyun River, and a huge ship slowly approached the shore on the wide river.

A group of people in dark blue cotton robes came down from the deck of the big ship. From a distance, they looked like a group of ants walking alone in the wilderness.

There is a temporary teahouse by the river. The owner of the teahouse serves a few pots of hot tea and noodles, sets out a few pots of charcoal fire, and the crowd gradually becomes lively.

Lin Danqing sneezed and complained, "It's so cold."

The doctor beside him comforted him, "We'll soon pass Mengtai. It's a bit cold near the river, but it will be much better after passing Mengtai."

The accompanying convoy to southern Jiangsu had been on the road for half a month. During the journey, they had to take a boat to cross a section of the Guangyun River. The river froze after the beginning of winter and it rained for several days, which delayed the journey.

Shengjing is in the north, and the winter is always very cold. I thought that Southern Jiangsu, being in the south, would be much warmer in winter, but it was not warm at all, and even colder than Shengjing, and even more damp. Even the cotton robes on my body felt like they were soaked in ice, cold and heavy. Before I even arrived in Southern Jiangsu, a medical officer had frostbite on his hands.

Chang Jin walked out from the back kitchen of the tea stall and handed a bowl of hot soup to Lu Tong and Lin Danqing, saying, "Drink it while it's hot to warm your body." He then looked at Lu Tong and asked, "How do you feel, Doctor Lu?"

Lu Tong's face was pale. He took the hot soup from Chang Jin's hand and nodded, "Much better."

The journey was long and Lu Tong suffered more than other medical officers: she was seasick.

It took seven days to cross the Guangyun River by boat. Lu Tong had never traveled such a long waterway before. Even though he took a lot of seasickness pills, he still vomited a lot. When he got off the boat, his face was thinner.

"Sister Lu, I used to think you knew everything, but I didn't expect you were a landlubber." Lin Danqing patted her shoulder and thought, "Maybe God is fair. He gave you some talent in medicine, but he made things difficult for you in other things. Otherwise, why are you and Doctor Ji the only ones who are seasick among so many people?"

There is more than one landlubber, Ji Xun is one of them.

But Ji Xun is better than Lu Tong, at least the seasickness medicine is effective for him.

Hearing people talking about him, Ji Xun looked towards them.

Lin Danqing was caught red-handed. He calmly stood up and left with the hot soup, and walked to Chang Jin to pretend to talk. Lu Tong lowered his head to drink the soup.

The soup is white radish and duck soup made by the teahouse owner himself. It is sweet and refreshing. After one sip, your stomach gradually feels soothed.

While drinking, a figure suddenly appeared beside her. Lu Tong turned her head and saw Ji Xun sitting down next to her.

She was startled for a moment, and heard Ji Xun say: "Are you feeling better?"

Lu Zhuo nodded.

The medical officers all joked that they were the only two landlubbers on the entire ship, and they felt a sense of sympathy for each other.

"I wanted to make you a seasickness medicine, but I didn't expect to have it ready by the time I got off the boat. I'm sorry," he said.

Although Ji Xun also suffered from seasickness, he got better immediately after taking seasickness medicine. However, Lu Tong was not like that and suffered from seasickness for seven days.

Most of the medical officers on the ship were elderly, and they couldn't find a reliable prescription. Even the genius medical officer Ji Xun was no match for him. The seasickness medicine he made was not effective for Lu Tong, who took it but felt no improvement at all.

If we tell others about it, it really makes people doubt whether this group of people can solve the epidemic in southern Jiangsu.

Ji Xun looked at her with a strange expression: "But why are all the seasickness medicines ineffective on you?"

"Maybe it's a mental illness." Lu Tong answered frankly, "I'm worried, so no matter what medicine I use, it's useless."

This may not be a reason.

Ji Xun nodded and stopped talking about this. He changed his topic and said, "After passing Mengtai, we will reach Southern Jiangsu in a few days."

"Doctor Lu is from southern Jiangsu. Are you nervous about returning home soon?"

Lu Tong lowered her eyes: "It's useless to be nervous."

"I thought that Doctor Lu took the initiative to ask to go to Southern Jiangsu for the sake of his hometown."

Lu Chen was silent.

Among the old medical officers who went to southern Jiangsu, leaving aside Ji Xun, the fact that a new medical officer like Lin Danqing sneaked in was already very unusual. Before leaving, another person, Lu Tong, was added.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Lu Tong left for southern Jiangsu in order to avoid the wrath of the Grand Tutor's Mansion. However, some people believed that Lu Tong was from southern Jiangsu and took the initiative to ask to go there, perhaps because he was worried about his hometown.

However, along the way, when the medical officers were discussing the best strategies and prescriptions for curing the epidemic, Lu Tong remained very calm, which seemed a bit cold-blooded.

After a moment of silence, Lu Tong said, "Whatever Doctor Ji thinks, that's it. After all, I'm on my way."

Ji Xun looked at her, thought about it, hesitated for a moment before speaking: "I have something I want to ask Doctor Lu."

"What's the matter?"

"Before the accident happened to the young master of the Qi family, Cui Yuanshi was the first to treat him. Later, Cui Yuanshi was convicted and you took over Cui Yuanshi's position. You are the only one who can read the medical records of the young master of the Qi family."

"good."

He said, "Although the Grand Tutor's Mansion said that Master Qi became ill due to the fire in Fengle Tower, I heard from others that Master Qi's symptoms were more like epilepsy. I remember that Doctor Lu once asked me: How about adding Poria cocos, Poria cocos, Myrrh, Sanguisorba officinalis, Magnolia officinalis... and a mountain cricket? I said that if this prescription is used, it may soothe the emotions and calm the epilepsy in a short period of time. But if it accumulates over a long period of time, the remaining toxins in the body will accumulate and paralyze the mind. On the surface, it will be cured, but in fact the disease will become more serious, and the disease will recur and be difficult to treat in the future."

Ji Xun glanced at Lu Tong and saw that Lu Tong looked calm and did not refute, so he continued: "Later, Master Qi fell ill repeatedly..."

"What do you mean, Doctor Ji?" Lu Tong interrupted him.

"I am treating Master Qi, and he is not suffering from epilepsy. This has been repeatedly explained by Cui Yuanshi and the Grand Tutor's Office. There is no reason in the world to convict someone based on a single question."

She said, "Besides, Master Qi died at the hands of his father during the Nuo sacrifice, and this is a fact that everyone can see. Doctor Ji wants to settle the score later. Could it be that he thinks that no matter what, as long as I have been to the Qi Mansion, the noble Master Qi has died, and as his doctor, I, who was born a commoner, cannot live in vain and must be buried with him?"

This answer was sharp, and Ji Xun was stunned for a moment: "That's not what I meant..."

"Why did Doctor Ji go to such lengths to find evidence of my guilt?"

Ji Xun was speechless.

Qi Yutai did die at the hands of Qi Qing, and this had nothing to do with Lu Tong.

He also knew that if Lu Tong did not follow the medical officer to southern Jiangsu, he might be implicated in this accident.

His doubts about the medical records made Lu Tong like a frightened bird. He did not think it through carefully.

"I'm sorry," Ji Xun said, "I'm not doubting you, but there are some things in the medical records that I don't understand, so I won't ask you about it in the future."

Lu Tong didn't say anything. The two of them were in silence when suddenly, Acorus calamus came running towards them from a distance, looking a little panicked.

Among the accompanying medical officers, Shichangpu was the most casual and relaxed on weekdays. When not discussing epidemic relief, eight out of ten times he was sleeping, and the remaining one or two were eating. It was rare to see him so frightened.

Shi Changpu ran over in one breath, pulled Chang Jin up and walked to the side. A faint voice came: "Someone from Mengtai Post Station just came to help. Something big happened in the capital!"

Lu Tong's heart moved, and he looked in the direction where the two people were walking away.

Something big?

Shichangpu brought the news from the post station to Chang Jin, and soon the entire group of medical officers who were fighting the epidemic knew about it.

Something big did happen in Shengjing.

A few days ago, the caravan was busy on the road, traveling day and night. Later, we crossed the Guangyun River and stayed on the river for seven days and seven nights, so no letters could be delivered.

So this news reached Mengtai, and everyone was shocked when they suddenly learned about it.

His Majesty has passed away.

The third prince Yuan Yao set up an ambush outside the Qinzheng Palace and took advantage of the night when he entered the palace to meet the emperor and launched a coup, killing the emperor and seizing the throne. The emperor was seriously injured. The crown prince blocked the sword for the emperor, but unfortunately died at the hands of Yuan Yao.

Prince Ning Yuanlang rushed into the palace, captured the third prince, and threw him into prison. Before his death, His Majesty issued an edict to pass the throne to Prince Ning Yuanlang.

Within just a few days, the crown prince died, the third prince was imprisoned, and Prince Ning ascended the throne.

This is really too weird.

Although Emperor Ming of Liang had been in poor health in recent years, and the Crown Prince and the Third Prince were fighting overtly and covertly, everyone knew that there might be a war. However, everything changed overnight. It has always been the case that "the son inherits the throne after the father's death, and the younger brother inherits the throne after the elder brother's death." Emperor Ming of Liang still had two sons, the Second Prince and the Fourth Prince, who could take over the throne. Why did he bypass these two and pass the throne to Prince Ning?
And how could that useless prince, who always smiled and only knew how to linger in the market and official alleys to buy flowers and vegetables, capture the rebels on his own?

The affairs of the court were thousands of miles away, and the low-ranking and unknown medical officers in the Medical Officers' Court remained silent and did not dare to ask any more questions.

An old medical officer trembled and said, "Doctor, are we still going to Sunan?"

The list of people who had to help fight the epidemic in southern Jiangsu was approved by Emperor Ming of Liang, but now the throne has been taken by someone else. Things in this world are unpredictable.

The north wind whistled past and Chang Jin shivered.

"Go." He calmed down, "What does this have to do with us?"

They are the people who go to fight the epidemic. No matter who sits on the throne, it is a fact that the people in southern Jiangsu are suffering from the epidemic, and there is absolutely no such thing as turning around and giving up.

Furthermore, with the new emperor on the throne, Shengjing is in turmoil, so it would be a bad idea to go back now. It would be better to stay in southern Jiangsu and wait until the epidemic is resolved and everything is settled before returning to Shengjing.

They are ants, humble little people who cannot shake the overall situation. They can only go with the flow and try their best to stick to their original intentions.

Upon hearing such shocking news, the doctors were a little uneasy and gathered together to discuss in a low voice. Lu Tong put down the medicine bowl and walked towards Chang Jin.

Chang Jin was standing outside, and when he saw her coming, he turned around. "Doctor," she paused, her voice lowered, "Did the news from the post station mention any recent news from the Grand Tutor's Mansion?"

Chang Jin looked at her in surprise, then realized what was going on. He glanced at the medical officers warming themselves by the fire in the teahouse in the distance, then leaned in and whispered, "Yes."

He said: "The case of the third prince's regicide has led to the involvement of many court officials. The Qi family also helped the third prince. All the marquises who had contact with the Grand Tutor's Mansion were wanted and exterminated. The Qi family executed three clans."

Lu Tong was stunned for a moment.

On the surface, the Qi family is clearly the prince's people. However, once they lose the court struggle and are implicated, it will be easy to convict someone.

She returned to Changwu County from southern Jiangsu, and then fought her way to Shengjing from Changwu County. She planned every step carefully and eliminated Ke Chengxing, killed Liu Kun, and overthrew Fan Zhenglian one after another. Finally, she designed to let Qi Yutai die at the hands of her own father.

Now, Qi Qing is dead, and her last enemy has disappeared from the world.

Her great revenge was completely achieved. She should have felt happy after completing everything she had done. However, after that happiness, it was like a winding river covered with thin ice in the distance, vast and boundless, with no one knowing where it was flowing.

Seeing that she remained silent, Chang Jin comforted her in a low voice: "Doctor Lu, when you return to Shengjing this time, you don't have to worry about the Qi family taking their anger out on you."

Now that the Qi family has been defeated, no one will stand up for them anymore.

Lu Tong nodded, but did not leave immediately.

Chang Jin saw this and asked, "Doctor Lu, do you have anything else to say?"

Without the brazier, the wind outside still felt chilly. Lu Tong paused before speaking softly.

"Chief Doctor, have you heard any news about Marshal Pei?"

Chang Jin was stunned.

The rumors about Lu Tong and Pei Yunyi spread all over the Medical Officers' Court. Lu Tong had always been indifferent to other people's affairs, but she actually took the initiative to ask about Pei Yunyi's news. It seemed that there might be some affection between the two of them.

"He went to Qishui."

"Qi Shui?"

"There was a riot at Qishui. Your Majesty had previously sent General Zhenwei to quell the rebellion. The Third Prince committed such a crime, and all of Duke Chen's lineage was implicated. Your Majesty took back the military power and ordered Marshal Pei to rush to Qishui. He set out a few days ago."

"They are fast, Qishui is not far from Sunan, and they may reach their destination earlier than us."

Lu Tong was silent. Chang Jin looked at her, wanting to say something, but in the end he said nothing.

When Prince Ning ascended the throne, the Third Prince's lineage was greatly affected, but Pei Yunying did not seem to be affected too much. His Majesty even let Pei Yunying lead the troops to Qishui, clearly intending to use him.

The young commander had a bright future, and now his prospects are limitless. But Lu Tong is just an ordinary person.

The difference in status sometimes matters more than anything else.

He didn't say anything else, sighed slightly in his heart, and turned around to talk to the owner of the teahouse.

Lu Tong returned to the teahouse.

In the room, the brazier was hot. When Lin Danqing saw her coming back, he handed Lu Tong a hot water bottle and asked sideways, "What did you say to Doctor Chang?"

"I asked about epidemic relief."

Lu Tong lowered her head and held the hot water bottle. The warmth gradually spread through her fingers, alternating between hot and cold, making her feel a little dazed for a moment.

Pei Yunying actually went to Qishui.

He was Prince Ning's man, and he had been secretly planning for this moment for a long time. Now that the overall situation had been decided and Prince Ning had ascended the throne, it was a good thing to treat him as before.

He is more capable of doing what he wants to do and protecting who he wants to protect.

Lin Danqing's voice came from the side: "The weather is getting colder and colder. I thought the south was warmer than our Shengjing, but how come the winter is even more unbearable than in Shengjing."

She rubbed her hands, looked at the raging north wind outside, and whispered, "I wonder if it will snow when we get to southern Jiangsu?"

Lu Zhuo raised his head.

The sky was gloomy. It rarely snows in the south in winter. The last time it snowed heavily in southern Jiangsu was six years ago.

Six years ago, on the Great Cold Day, she met Pei Yunying for the first time.

Lu Tong lowered his eyes and put his hand across his heart, where he could feel the lingering pain.

She always thought she would die in Shengjing, but she didn't expect that it would be Sunan in the end.

Where the story begins, is where the story ends.

Maybe it wouldn't be bad to die there.

……

Time passed like running water, and it was winter in a blink of an eye.

In the early morning, there was fog on the street.

The fog was also gray and piercing when it fell on people.

The doors of every house on both sides of the street were tightly closed. The morning market, which should have been noisy and bustling, was dead silent, with no one on the street. In the distance, thick smoke gradually rose, mixed with the smell of burning flesh, and billowing gray smoke floated into the sky, condensing a thick layer of haze into the sky.

Li Wenhu, the county lieutenant of Sunan, stood at the foot of the city wall and cursed in a low voice.

"Fang Zi," he asked the person beside him, "It's already this late, they won't not come, right?"

The middle-aged man standing next to him was wearing a wrinkled gown. His face had turned blue from the cold. He kept stamping his feet and rubbing his hands, but his expression was very determined: "Wait a little longer. It should be here today anyway."

Li Wenhu looked towards the empty city gate in the distance.

Southern Jiangsu was hit by a locust plague.

The locust plague destroyed the crops, and with no food left, famine soon broke out.

The relief grain and silver distributed by the imperial court were delayed in arriving, and epidemics broke out in southern Jiangsu.

The epidemic was so severe that within a few months, more than half of the people in the city died.

The governor of the prefecture said he would send people to help with the epidemic, but for some reason no one came. More and more people died, and the county government was not spared. Finally, one night, the county magistrate secretly left the city with his family and never came back. Only the county magistrate Cai Fang and the county lieutenant Li Wenhu were left staring at each other in bewilderment.

To make matters worse, Southern Jiangsu was exceptionally cold this year, with rainy days and piles of corpses that could not be burned, and many more poor people died of cold and hunger. The medical clinics in Southern Jiangsu were out of medicine, and doctors fell ill one after another. If this continued, it would not be long before the entire Southern Jiangsu would become a deserted city.

"I don't think they will come." Li Wenhu's originally strong body has become much thinner after days of running around, and his belt is visibly loose. "If the court cares about us, why would it delay until now? They said they would send people to help with the epidemic a few months ago, but there is no sign of them. I think they want us to fend for ourselves!"

He took another look at the steamed bun in Cai Fang's hand and became even more furious: "So many people starve to death in the city every day, and you still prepare steamed buns for them. Maybe the noble lady in Shengjing will look down on this steamed bun. Why bother with it!"

Cai Fang rubbed his hands and said, "Say less!"

"Why, you're not allowed to say it?"

Li Wenhu doesn't like the officials in Shengjing.

After the outbreak of the epidemic in southern Jiangsu, the county magistrate immediately asked the court for help. The report was passed to the prefects, prefects, and governors one by one, and it took many days for the news to reach Shengjing. The officials in Shengjing were busy with military and national affairs every day and had no time to care about the life and death of a small county.

In the meantime, a few so-called "high-ranking officials" from Shengjing came to control the locust plague. They stayed in southern Jiangsu for three or five days and then went back. They ate up half a month's food rations of the county government and wrote a long letter entitled "On Controlling Locusts".

The county government was overjoyed and did as they were told, but it was of no use.

With the previous experience, Li Wenhu looked down upon the doctors of Shengjing Hanlin Medical Academy. Those doctors had studied in Imperial Medical College since childhood, and most of them had good family backgrounds. How could people with such family backgrounds let their children take risks in this epidemic area? The doctors sent here this time were either forced to do so unwillingly, or were incompetent people with mediocre medical skills, abandoned children of the Medical Academy, and incompetent people who were forced to do something unskillful, just like those people before.

"You have to wait alone," Li Wenhu said, quitting his job. "I'm going back to move the bodies. The execution ground is almost full from yesterday!"

He turned around and was about to leave. He had only taken two steps when he suddenly heard Cai Fang shouting from behind: "Here they come!"

coming?

Li Wenhu turned around.

In the distance, a few hundred steps outside the city gate, a group of carriages and horses were gradually approaching.

The carriage was not moving very fast, but for the deserted Sunan City for several months, it was like a ray of bright sunlight suddenly appearing after a long period of haze, immediately illuminating the eyes of the two people in front of the city gate.

The carriages and horses rumbled closer and stopped in front of the city gate.

A middle-aged man wearing a cotton robe and a cotton hat jumped out of the car.

"You..." Cai Fang stepped forward excitedly.

The man bowed to Cai Fang and spoke in a polite and courteous voice.

"I am a doctor from the Imperial Academy of Medical Officers, Zhengchang Jin. I am here under the order of the imperial court to lead the medical officers of the Imperial Academy to come to southern Jiangsu to treat the epidemic."

(End of this chapter)