We agreed that you, a weak strategist, would fight against three heroes by yourself?

The next day, the sun shone in the courtyard, and Xi Yu said to Cheng Yu with a serious expression: "Cheng Yu, send someone to investigate Jia Xu's matter again. There must be no negligence."

Cheng Yu nodded slightly and responded respectfully: "Prime Minister, I will make arrangements right away."

After a while, someone sent by Cheng Yu came to report the news.

"Prime Minister, the temple where the old monk lives is at the foot of a mountain in Qingzhou."

Upon hearing this, Xi Yu's eyes flashed with determination, and he said resolutely: "I want to go and see for myself."

Cheng Yu had a worried look on his face and took a step forward to persuade him: "Prime Minister, as Prime Minister, you already have enough to worry about. Why don't you let me go."

Xi Yu thought for a moment, and finally sighed helplessly and said, "Okay, then go ahead and be careful." Cheng Yu nodded solemnly and turned around to leave.

Cheng Yu and several of his followers rushed towards the temple at high speed. On the way, Cheng Yu looked at the followers around him and said loudly: "Everyone, these are extraordinary times, and your wages will be doubled."

The followers had expressions of surprise on their faces when they heard this.

One of them said excitedly: "Sir, you are too polite. We know that the governor is also in trouble. Let's get through the difficulties together. There is no need for this."

Other followers also nodded in agreement, with moved looks in their eyes.

They knew how difficult it was for Cheng Yu, and they were even more determined to do their best for him.

Cheng Yu looked at these loyal followers and felt a sense of warmth in his heart.

Cheng Yu and his party finally arrived at the temple and saw that the temple door was closed tightly.

A rotten smell assaulted the nostrils, making people suspicious.

Cheng Yu frowned, with a solemn look on his face, and said to his followers: "Knock on the door, there must be something going on in this temple."

The followers followed the order and knocked hard on the door, but the door remained closed as before.

Cheng Yu's eyes were firm and he gritted his teeth and said, "Everyone, open the door together!"

The followers responded in unison and used all their strength to finally push the heavy door open slowly.

As soon as the door opened, everyone saw the old monk lying in the yard.

His face was sallow and his breath was weak. In the corner, there were still several monks lying lifelessly.

When the old monk saw Cheng Yu arriving, a glimmer of joy flashed in his eyes.

He said weakly: "Finally someone is here..."

Cheng Yu hurried forward and looked at the old monk's appearance. His face was full of concern and anxiety, and an unspeakable worry surged in his heart.

"Teacher, what's going on?"

The old monk said weakly: "I am the only one left in the whole temple now... I can't move or pass the news out. I can only hope that someone will come..." His eyes were full of expectation. and helplessness.

Cheng Yu introduced his identity to the old monk.

The old monk nodded slightly. But then he struggled to say: "You stay away from me, I have a strange disease that is contagious..."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yu showed a firm look on his face and said, "It's okay, I'm not afraid."

He looked at the old monk with concern, and then asked: "Why did those monks die?"

A trace of pain and anger flashed across the old monk's face.

The old monk clasped his hands together and murmured: "All this is caused by the plague."

Recently, it became clear to him that the source of the plague was himself, specifically, the witch.

He calmed down a little and slowly told about his past with the witch.

It turned out that after the witch had gone through training, her body actually contained toxins.

However, if she is still alive, it won't be too serious.

However, once she dies, disaster will ensue. And he was the first person who came into contact with her body, so he was inevitably infected with the virus.

After the old monk finished speaking these words, his eyes slowly closed, his breath gradually dissipated, and he left.

After listening to this, Cheng Yu finally felt clear and understood the root cause of the matter.

However, he couldn't help but sigh: "So what if we know the root cause? Too many people have lost their lives in this plague."

His voice was full of helplessness and sadness.

Several attendants on the side quickly stepped forward to comfort him: "Sir, it is always a good thing to know the root cause. Now we can explain it to the Prime Minister."

On the way back, Cheng Yu was thinking about this question again and again in his mind.

At first, Xi Yu was worried that foreign enemies would poison him, but now it seems that this possibility does not exist.

After all, the old monk would probably not tell lies before he died.

However, on the way back together, they all started coughing.

At this moment, they all knew that they must have been infected by the old monk.

Until the sky gradually darkened.

Cheng Yu and others dragged their tired bodies and walked into the Governor's Mansion with difficulty.

Their faces were pale, their foreheads were covered with beads of sweat, their bodies were trembling slightly, and they looked very uncomfortable.

Xi Yu paced back and forth anxiously in the house, his hands clenched, his brows furrowed, and his eyes full of worry.

He looked at the door from time to time and murmured to himself: "Why don't you come back? Don't let anything happen."

Finally, when he saw the figures of Cheng Yu and others appearing in his sight, Xi Yu's face immediately showed a look of joy.

He hurried up to greet you and asked with concern: "You guys are back now. How are you? Are you okay?"

Cheng Yu waved his hand feebly and said feebly: "I feel a little uncomfortable, but I'm glad I'm back."

Xi Yu quickly supported him and comforted him: "It's okay, just take a rest."

Cheng Yu sat on the chair, frowning slightly, and told the story of his encounter with the old monk in a heavy tone.

There was a hint of helplessness and frustration in his eyes.

After finishing speaking, he sighed and said slowly: "Although the root cause has been found out now, what can I do? It doesn't seem to help."

Xi Yu listened quietly, the worried look on his face gradually dissipating.

He nodded and said, "Maybe it really has nothing to do with foreign enemies, so I feel relieved." There was some relief in his voice.

"Just have a good rest, there's no need to worry about anything else." His eyes were full of concern.

Xianbei.

Tuoba Lu sat in the room with a terrifyingly gloomy face, and the whole room was filled with a depressing atmosphere. He made fists with both hands, slammed them on the table, and said angrily: "My sister ran away from home and hasn't returned yet. It really makes me angry!"

Just as he was getting angry, a servant hurried over and gasped: "Chief, there is a man named Liu Maohai who wants to see you. He says he is a descendant of the royal family and has important matters to discuss."

Tuoba Lu was stunned for a moment, a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

He said solemnly: "Bring him in, I want to see what's going on."

On the other side, Tian Chong, the envoy sent by Tuoba Road, rushed to the border crossing of Youzhou with a dusty journey.

The soldiers, armed with spears, blocked his way and asked with vigilant faces: "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Tian Chong hurriedly clasped his fists and saluted, explaining his purpose of coming with a bit of anxiety on his face.

However, the soldier shook his head and said, "The Prime Minister is not in Youzhou. You should come back later."

Tian Chong's face instantly became very ugly. He frowned, widened his eyes, and said dissatisfied: "Can I enter Youzhou and wait for his return?"

The soldiers refused unceremoniously, and Tian Chong could only sigh helplessly.

Tian Chong was very anxious. He couldn't help but raise his voice: "What should I do? I have something important that I must tell the Prime Minister face to face!"

Veins appeared on his forehead, and his eyes were full of eagerness.

The soldiers were unmoved. They straightened their bodies and said seriously: "We are ordered to guard here. No one is allowed to enter Youzhou at will without orders from above."

Tian Chong gritted his teeth and cursed secretly in his heart, but there was nothing he could do.

He could only turn around and leave helplessly, his steps seemed a little heavy.

Tian Chong stepped into the inn, still feeling heavy.

He sat at the table, staring out the window, thinking about what the soldiers had said.

He thought to himself.

What the soldiers said may be true, and Xi Yu may have really gone to a place with plague.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration in his heart.

"As the Prime Minister, Lord Xi Yu actually went to the disaster area in person. His courage and responsibility are really admirable." Tian Chong murmured to himself.

However, as soon as his thoughts changed, he began to question.

If it were his master Tuoba Lu, would he do this?

He frowned, feeling entangled in his heart.

He understood Tuoba Lu's character very well. Although he was wise, he was also selfish and cowardly.

Tian Chong couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

I'm afraid the master will not risk going to the disaster area easily.

Liu Maohai was dressed in a gorgeous brocade robe, with exquisite patterns embroidered on the sleeves, and a gem-encrusted belt around his waist. He looked graceful and luxurious.

He stepped into the tent, looked directly at Tuoba Lu with firm eyes, and said straight to the point: "I am of the emperor's blood, and now the whole world is controlled by Xi Yu, it is really hard for me to express my anger. I also know that you, Tuoba Lu, must also want to To attack the Central Plains, instead of fighting independently, it is better for both of us to cooperate."

Tuoba Lu's expression changed, he stared at Liu Maohai sharply, and shouted sternly: "Someone, take him down and hold him accountable! I don't have such thoughts!"

But Liu Maohai burst out laughing. He held his head high and said confidently: "Tuoba Lu, you are just testing me."

A trace of surprise flashed in Tuoba Lu's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

He waved his hand and asked his men to release Liu Maohai quickly, and then said with a smile: "Haha, Brother Liu is really smart. I did use a trick just now, and now I have confirmed that what Brother Liu said is true."

He personally stepped forward, took Liu Maohai's hand, invited him to his seat, and said enthusiastically: "Brother Liu, please take your seat. From now on, you will be my honored guest."

Tuoba Lu frowned and said in a deep tone: "Since last winter, many people have had this idea, why do we have to live in this harsh environment, why can't we step into the prosperous and gorgeous world of the Central Plains? However, I have sent an envoy to negotiate with Xi Yu, and we will wait for the envoy to return before making a final decision."

Liu Maohai's face instantly turned gloomy.

He widened his eyes and shouted angrily: "Sending an envoy there is a waste of time! It would be better to attack the Central Plains directly!"

A trace of doubt flashed in Tuoba Lu's eyes. He stared at Liu Maohai closely and questioned: "Do you have soldiers? Are you borrowing my power?"

Liu Maohai raised the corners of his mouth slightly and said confidently: "I do have soldiers, and I have been secretly recruiting people for these years." There was a hint of pride in his eyes.

When Tuoba Lu heard this, his face suddenly became very ugly. He opened his eyes angrily and shouted angrily: "Those are just some scattered soldiers. How can they be compared with my regular army?"

Liu Maohai disagreed. He straightened his body and responded confidently: "My soldiers are not weak! And the key is that my blood is pure. If I win this time, I am willing to share the country with you Tuoba Lu."

A trace of heartbeat flashed in Tuoba Lu's eyes. He narrowed his eyes slightly and pondered for a moment.

Seeing this, Liu Maohai continued: "Now that the plague has broken out in several places in the Central Plains, this is an excellent time to attack."

Tuoba Lu finally nodded, with a look of decision on his face.

He looked at Liu Maohai and said slowly: "Okay, I agree. Then, let's start studying the next battle plan."

In a place in Quanzhou, several doctors were surrounding Song Shuwen, their faces filled with excitement.

One of the doctors said excitedly: "We finally developed a medicine to treat the plague!"

Song Shuwen also showed a hint of relief on his face, but he quickly frowned and said, "However, it still needs experiments, and there is no guarantee that it will be absolutely effective."

Upon hearing this, the excitement on the faces of the doctors disappeared instantly, replaced by looks of disappointment.

One doctor said dissatisfiedly: "Isn't this treating people as experimental subjects?"

Song Shuwen sighed helplessly and said, "Besides this method, we have no other better choice." There was a hint of worry and determination in his eyes.

After hearing Song Shuwen's words, those doctors showed even more troubled expressions on their faces.

One of the doctors frowned and said, "This is too risky. What if something goes wrong?"

Song Shuwen gritted his teeth and said: "I also know that this is risky, but this is the only thing we can do at the moment. We cannot just watch more people lose their lives due to the plague."

The other doctor sighed and said, "Oh, that's all it can do. But I hope this medicine can really be effective."

Song Shuwen nodded and said, "We will definitely do our best. Everyone, please work harder and step up experiments to find a cure for the plague as soon as possible."

The county magistrate Ma Lin hurried to Guan Yu, bowed his hands and saluted: "General Guan, I believe you have heard about what happened in the whole state. Those doctors and Song Shuwen have developed medicine to treat the plague, but Song Shuwen said that it is still necessary to Experiments cannot guarantee absolute effectiveness.”

When Guan Yu heard this, he frowned and fell into deep thought.

His thick eyebrows were slightly wrinkled, and there was a hint of worry in his eyes.

After a moment, Guan Yu slowly said: "Song Shuwen's medical skills are indeed superb. It must be difficult for him to develop drugs. But he said that he needs to do experiments. It seems that the situation is indeed not optimistic."

Marin nodded, with a worried look on his face, and said, "Yes, General Guan, this matter concerns the lives of many people, which is really worrying."

Guan Yu raised his head and looked at County Magistrate Ma Lin. His eyes were firm and powerful, and he said: "County Magistrate Ma, don't be pessimistic. Song Shuwen has great medical skills. He might be able to develop good medicines and achieve good results. Wait for this matter. Once I have the result, I will rush to Qingzhou to tell the Prime Minister."

After listening to Guan Yu's words, the worry on Ma Lin's face eased slightly.

He nodded and said: "What General Guan said is absolutely true. I hope there will be a good turn for the better as the General said."

The night in Qingzhou is like thick ink, covering the earth.

Xi Yu sat alone in the room, feeling worried.

He didn't know what was going on in Quanzhou, whether the epidemic was under control, whether Song Shuwen and the others had made any progress.

Time passed little by little, and it was already late at night, and the lights in Xiyu's room were still on.

At this time, Cheng Yu came to the door of his room and knocked gently.

"Prime Minister, it's time for you to rest. Don't worry too much." Cheng Yu's voice sounded outside the door.

Xiyu stood up, walked to the door, and opened it. He looked at Cheng Yu with a wry smile on his face and said, "I can't sleep at all. I'm always thinking about what's going on in Quanzhou."

Cheng Yu walked into the room and looked at Xi Yu's tired face, feeling heartbroken.

"Prime Minister, don't worry too much, everything will be fine."

Xiyu nodded.

Late at night, everything is silent, and the moonlight shines on the desk through the window lattice.

Liu Bei was sitting in his study, reading the books in his hands intently.

At this time, a young eunuch hurried over and said softly: "My lord, there is someone at the gate of the palace asking to see you. He calls himself Liu Maohai."

When Liu Bei heard this, he was slightly startled and couldn't help but stop the book in his hand.

He frowned, secretly wondering who Liu Maohai was.

"Please come in quickly!" Liu Bei thought for a moment and then ordered. After a while, a figure appeared at the door of the study. Liu Bei looked up and saw Liu Maohai appearing in front of him.

Liu Maohai sat down swaggeringly, with a confident smile on his face, as if he and Liu Bei were old friends for many years.

He said boldly: "Today I went to Xianbei and I have a big plan! I'm going to join forces to destroy that Xiyu. But I don't know what your opinion is on this?"

Liu Bei frowned slightly, stared at Liu Maohai, and said with a bit of doubt in his tone: "This Xiyu is not easy to deal with. Are you really sure of victory?"

Liu Maohai suddenly laughed, with a hint of joking in his tone.

"Hahaha, Liu Bei, Liu Bei, you finally showed your fox tail!"

When Liu Bei heard this, his face instantly turned red and the veins on his forehead bulged.

He roared angrily: "I speak sincerely, how dare you make fun of me like this!"

Seeing Liu Bei angry, Liu Maohai seemed particularly happy.

But he immediately became serious.

"Okay, let's get down to business. I won't make fun of you anymore. So what do you think of this matter? Are you willing to join us in opposing Xi Yu?"

Liu Bei sighed but said nothing.

"Liu Bei, don't be indecisive"! (End of chapter)