Village closure

When the lives of their family members are threatened, even a weak scholar will instantly become fierce and extreme. Lin Huai'en turned around and bit Di Shaoze's arm fiercely, increasing his strength rapidly, not holding back at all.

A stream of blood flowed down the black fabric.

The pain was so sharp and intense, like a piece of flesh being cut off by sharp teeth, almost making Di Shaoze's arm lose consciousness, but he still refused to let go.

Lin Huai'en tried his best, but he was unable to resist Di Shaoze's shackles. Knowing that it was difficult to escape, he was so angry that his consciousness gradually blurred and he fainted...

When he woke up again, Lin Huai'en found himself facing a dark red bed curtain. His throat was hoarse and dry, and his stomach ached as if it had been emptied. He guessed that he must have been unconscious for quite some time.

Di Shaoze sat on a stool beside the bed, his body buried in the shadows, a few strands of hair flying under his long crown, and his eyes were slightly bloodshot.

Lin Huai'en had a strange feeling that perhaps the Emperor Shaoze had been watching over him for as long as he had been unconscious. This gave him even more headaches. He didn't want to be watched over by Emperor Shaoze at all. He just wanted to be with Xue Dingchu.

Lin Huai'en asked in a hoarse voice, "Your Majesty, how is my husband doing? Are there any signs of an epidemic?"

Di Shaoze's throat was equally dry. "Is this what you're asking me right after I wake up? Are you still feeling unwell? I'll have my attendants bring me some warm water."

At Di Shaoze's call, the attendants quickly brought food and warm water. But Lin Huai'en turned his face away, having no appetite at all.

Di Shaoze stretched out his hand and pinched Lin Huaien's thin cheek. His heart softened a little and he gave in, "He was infected, but he has a good physique and the symptoms are milder than others."

Lin Huai'en felt a sudden pain in his heart. He bit his lower lip and tried to stand up. "Your Majesty, how will you deal with him? How will you resolve this epidemic?"

Emperor Shaoze said, "For concealing the epidemic and not reporting it, the county governor and his subordinates, including the Supervisory Secretary, will be dismissed from their posts. Guangling will be sealed off and transportation will be cut off."

Lin Huai'en asked anxiously, "What about Dingchu? What about the placement of all the infected people?"

Di Shaoze said: "Set it up in that village."

Lin Huai'en's heart sank, and he asked doubtfully, "Your Majesty, don't you plan to save them?"

Di Shaoze said, "The symptoms of this epidemic have never been recorded in medical records, yet its infectiousness is far greater than in the past. The best solution is complete isolation."

Lin Huai'en's lips trembled as he continued to repeat the same question in a high voice, "So, Your Majesty, are you not going to do your best to save those patients? Are you going to give up on them?"

Emperor Shaoze said, "Isolating the entire source is the fastest way to achieve results. This epidemic is dangerous, and I am not sure of victory. As an emperor, I don't have to be a benevolent ruler, but I must be a wise ruler."

Di Shaoze was a master of chess, and he was especially adept at using the iron rule of sacrificing the rook to protect the king.

Lin Huai'en bit his lower lip until it bled, then struggled to get up and crawl out of bed. He didn't want to face the emperor's schemes; he just wanted to see Xue Dingchu and the patients with his own eyes.

Di Shaoze wanted to help him, but he pushed him away with all his might, unable to get any closer. Lin Huai'en turned his head away, his eyes filled with uncontrollable disgust, which he only managed to suppress due to the relationship between the monarch and his subject.

Using his weak strength, Lin Huai'en managed to stand up, but his posture was shaky, like a wick that was about to burn out.

Emperor Shaoze couldn't bear to see him like this, so he ordered, "Summon Imperial Physician Li to accompany the Prime Minister to the epidemic village."

Lin Huai'en finally arrived at a place far away outside the village.

The village seemed dead, devoid of life. Torches and thick smoke filled the air. The brutal soldiers treated the villagers like prisoners.

Some villagers still looked healthy, but even so, their faces were still gray and they could only wait for death silently.

Xue Dingchu sat on the edge of a dry well, with his head hung, lost in thought.

Lin Huai'en wanted to move closer, but the imperial physician hurriedly pulled him back, "This is the closest! Please don't go any further!"

Perhaps Xue Dingchu sensed something, but at that moment, he raised his head and searched Lin Huai'en with his eyes. Xue Dingchu's originally dull expression changed, revealing an extremely complicated look.

This glance was filled with tranquility, despair, and piety, like a dying person silently bidding farewell. Xue Dingchu raised his palm and used his fingers to make gestures, transforming it into a walking figure, telling Lin Huai'en to leave quickly and not come back.

Seeing Xue Dingchu like this, Lin Huai'en felt an unbearable pain in his heart. Lin Huai'en raised his hand and made a gesture, telling Xue Dingchu to wait for him, he would definitely save him!

Xue Dingchu nodded, but soon shook his head and fell silent...

With the help of the imperial physician, Lin Huai'en returned to Di Shaoze again. But this time, Lin Huai'en let his black hair down.

When a minister takes off his hat, it means he voluntarily resigns from his post and lives in seclusion.

Lin Huai'en made up his mind and was willing to risk everything to stand by Xue Dingchu.

Di Shaoze's lower eyelid twitched violently. For a moment, he couldn't believe what he was seeing. His lips parted in disbelief. "Is Xue Dingchu really that important? You've endured so much hardship to finally become a prime minister and realize your youthful ambition! Why would you give up for him?! What right did Xue Dingchu have?! Who the hell is he?!"

Di Shaoze questioned him one question after another, his tone gradually increasing in intensity, even approaching hysteria. He couldn't believe that Xue Dingchu could actually make Lin Huai'en give up everything!

No one knew better than Di Shaoze how much Lin Huai'en loved his ideal. For this ideal, Lin Huai'en wandered in the capital for two years, wandered in a foreign land for three years, and fought in the officialdom for five years, almost gambling the first half of his life, just to change his position.

But at this moment, Lin Huai'en was willing to sacrifice the first half of his life to protect Xue Dingchu!

Lin Huai'en gritted his teeth and said, "From his eyes and figure, I know that he needs me. I will go to his side at all costs."

Lin Huai'en will never give up on his family at any time.

The color instantly drained from Di Shaoze's face.

Lin Huai'en bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, I no longer hold the title of Prime Minister. As the patient's wife, I beg Your Majesty to treat those patients. They didn't choose to be sick. They all want to live. If a country can only seek temporary survival by abandoning its people, then everyone will be in danger, order will be disrupted, and the country will be in jeopardy."

After removing the long crown, Lin Huai'en retired from his position as prime minister. At this moment, he was just Xue Dingchu's wife.

Di Shaoze's chest heaved rapidly, his eyes trembling unbearably. He stared at the top of Lin Huai'en's head, recalling Lin Huai'en's words. His chest was filled with intense hatred and excruciating pain. In his rage, he vomited a mouthful of blood...