Chapter 162: Wrath of Heaven and Resentment of the People
Chapter 162: Chapter 162: Wrath of Heaven and Resentment of the People
Wang Tingyue took the sword from her hand.
Lu Xiu also let go of her hand. He stopped looking at her, instead clasping his hands behind his back and sweeping his gaze over the crowd. His eyes were cold and sharp. "By order of His Majesty, I am here on an inspection tour. If anyone dares to maliciously stir up trouble or obstruct the epidemic prevention efforts, they will be executed by slow slicing as a warning to others."
His ethereal, handsome features, complemented by a purple robe and golden belt, spoke of his noble status. His expression was composed as his voice, clear and resonant, rang out at a measured pace.
Though his voice wasn’t loud, it stunned everyone present into holding their breath and falling completely silent.
The assembled generals dropped to their knees to receive the order, and the families of the officials followed suit, prostrating themselves on the ground.
The common folk, who would never have encountered such a personage in their entire lives had they not fled to the capital, had also never witnessed such a scene. As if waking from a dream, they scrambled to kneel as well. They only dared to barely lift their eyelids, stealing glances from the corners of their eyes at the proud, upright figure.
Liang Wan stared, dumbfounded. ’Isn’t this more effective than me climbing up high and shouting down low?’
Just as she was about to kneel, Lu Xiu pulled her to a stop. She then heard him say, "General Wang, you must explain the details of this epidemic."
Only then did Wang Tingyue rise. "Yes, Grand Commandant. You may follow me to my command tent."
Lu Xiu simply acknowledged him and led Liang Wan toward the main tent.
The only sound as they walked was that of their footsteps.
Liang Wan shot him a subtle glance. Having spent so much time with him in private, she had almost forgotten what he was truly like...
Inside the main tent, it was as warm as before.
Wang Tingyue ordered someone to prepare tea.
Lu Xiu glanced at the half-full cup of water on the small table and sat down, his expression impassive.
Seeing Liang Wan still standing, he simply patted the soft cushion beside him.
Liang Wan sat down next to him.
Wang Tingyue brought over the various records on the refugees.
Lu Xiu skimmed through them.
Liang Wan was slightly surprised.
Lu Xiu turned to look at her, a smile surfacing in his eyes. "I really am here on imperial orders."
He glanced at her lips, then picked up the half-full cup and placed it in front of her. "It’s not hot. The temperature is just right."
After speaking, he focused his attention back on the records.
’He’s always serious and focused when handling official business,’ she knew.
Liang Wan silently observed the two men, one standing and one sitting. One was grave and taciturn, the other calm and composed.
’This feels so strange,’ she thought. ’I haven’t forgotten how Wang Tingyue was tortured until he was covered in wounds in the Dali Temple Prison, and he was almost killed...’
These two men, who should have been at each other’s throats, were now sharing a room in unexpected peace. It was she who had been secretly sweating since the beginning.
Liang Wan lowered her gaze. ’I suppose I was worrying for nothing.’
"Did you just find out?"
Lu Xiu put down the scroll in his hand and turned his head to look at her.
Liang Wan nodded, then asked, "When did you arrive?"
A small smile touched his lips. "Right when you were asking, ’On what grounds?’"
Liang Wan’s face flushed with embarrassment.
He didn’t intend to dwell on the topic and simply asked, "Do you have any thoughts?"
Liang Wan was a bit surprised. She raised an eyebrow and glanced at the others in the tent. Besides Wang Tingyue, there were several captains and attendants.
’Normally, when it’s just the two of us behind closed doors, it doesn’t matter what I say.’ But now, in front of so many people, she hesitated slightly.
Liang Wan looked toward Wang Tingyue. "May I borrow a brush and paper?"
An attendant presented her with a brush, ink, and paper.
Liang Wan spread the paper open, speaking as she wrote. "I pass a place every day when I come here to distribute congee. It’s about five li from here and appears to be an abandoned encampment. We can build shelters on that site and move the healthy people there. It can be managed like a military camp. As for building the shelters, everyone except the old, weak, sick, and disabled must participate. With the weather turning colder, this will also help them prepare for winter."
"As for those suspected of being infected, they should remain here. After reorganizing the current living quarters, anyone who falls ill should be sent to a designated area, where dedicated personnel will distribute food and medicine..."
Liang Wan’s eyes narrowed in thought. ’In my past life, not everyone could afford medicine. Most people died without even a chance at treatment.’
She glanced toward the tent flap, then looked back at Lu Xiu. "Do you remember the prescription I wrote for my second brother? With so many refugees, there certainly won’t be enough medicinal herbs. Before the weather gets too cold, we should have the able-bodied go out each day to gather local ingredients and brew them..."
She wrote down two versions. "Those who are already sick should use this detailed prescription. The uninfected can use this simpler version. As for how to build the shelters and who will provide treatment, that should be—"
Lu Xiu nodded. "That will naturally be handed over to the department in charge. And this congee distribution should stop."
Wang Tingyue was puzzled. "You haven’t examined them. How do you know what medicine to use?"
’I was so busy rambling on just now that I completely forgot about that flaw in my plan.’
’Am I a prophet?’
Liang Wan pressed her lips together. The prescription wasn’t one she had created herself. It was one that only emerged after countless people had died and the epidemic was nearly over...
Before Liang Wan could speak, Lu Xiu said nonchalantly, "When the General of Cavalry was on campaign in Bozhou County, he encountered a plague and used this method. It’s worth a try."
Wang Tingyue asked no more questions and ordered someone to take the prescriptions to the army physician.
Liang Wan lifted her eyes to the man beside her. "If we’re going to stop distributing congee, it’s time to ask for charitable donations. They have to choose one: their lives or their money."
Lu Xiu paused for a moment, then gave a faint smile.
Liang Wan stood up, her tone light. "What I said just now was merely this humble one speaking out of turn. Please, my lords, just take it as a joke. You all still have official business to discuss, so I will not disturb you any longer."
Lu Xiu nodded gently. "Go wait in the carriage first."
Liang Wan performed a curtsy and left the main tent with Bai Lu.
Bai Lu followed behind, silently observing her. ’Liang Ji’s behavior today is truly different from how she is at home.’
Liang Wan walked in the direction where Lu Xiu’s carriage was parked.
"It’s her! I recognize her! She’s the one from the rumors last year—the demoness who can cast spells to make flowers bloom in winter! She must have defied the heavens and brought this disaster upon us—"
As she passed the crowd of refugees, someone suddenly cried out in shock.
A single stone stirs a thousand ripples. The cry, neither loud nor soft, prompted those nearby to break into discussion.
Some had heard the rumor, while others had not.
Many noble ladies were distributing congee, dressed in simple hairpins and plain clothes, so they didn’t stand out much. But when she stood on the high platform earlier, everyone got a clear look at her.
It was as if a pot had exploded!
In an instant, pointing fingers turned into a clamorous uproar.
The crowd became even more chaotic than before, shoving and pushing to get a glimpse of the rumored fiend.
Before she knew it, they had surrounded her.
Who caused their crops to fail? Who forced them from their homes? Who made them suffer from hunger, and who made them fall sick with this suspected plague...?
It was the culprit standing right before them!
She wore gold and silver, looking bright and beautiful, while they lacked food and clothing, living day to day not knowing if they’d see the next. On what grounds?!
The long-suppressed bitterness, resentment, grief, and fear... The dual torment of body and mind had long ago filled them with a volatile hostility, ready to explode at the slightest touch.
Lacking an outlet for their suffering, their pent-up emotions now burst forth like a flood breaking through a dam. The resentful, angry curses grew louder and louder.
Someone in the crowd shouted, "Burn her!"
The disorderly crowd suddenly had a direction.
People who had been half-dead moments ago were now filled with strength. With bloodshot eyes, they roared, desperate to pounce on this monstrous villain, to kill her, tear her apart, and stomp her to pieces with their own hands to vent the hatred in their hearts!
Guards and soldiers, holding sharp weapons, moved forward to drive back the clamoring, seething mob.