Upon hearing this, Chen Wufu was finally relieved and comforted Emperor Liang Cheng, saying, "Your Majesty, with Chen Zhaoci here, it's only a matter of time before those afflicted with the plague are cured. The Chen family's medical skills are second to none in the world today."

Emperor Liang Cheng sighed and said, "Yes, Chen Zhaoci is a top-notch doctor. She is still a woman, yet she can lead people to make rounds to treat patients from village to village for the sake of the people, just in case an epidemic breaks out after the flood. But what about those corrupt officials I support? They are perfunctory and careless in their work. If it weren't for their inaction, laziness, and lack of responsibility, how could there have been an epidemic? I am truly heartbroken."

As Emperor Liang Cheng spoke, he became increasingly agitated, slamming the letter tube in his hand onto the imperial desk. He took a few deep breaths and said in a low voice, "Knowing that an epidemic had broken out, instead of thinking about how to control it, they burned down the entire village and killed people. What are they trying to do? What do they think of human lives? Did I go to such lengths and go through so much trouble to select such cold-blooded and ruthless people? I have truly failed my ancestors and my people."

Thinking of what the letter said, Emperor Liang Cheng could no longer suppress his anger. He grabbed a teacup from his desk and smashed it on the ground. After the crisp sound of the porcelain shattering, Chen Wufu knelt down and bowed, pleading, "Your Majesty, please calm down."

Having vented his anger, Emperor Liang Cheng calmed down considerably and said to Chen Wufu, "Wufu, get up. I only hate those who hold positions without doing their jobs and disregard human life. The memorial on this matter has not yet been submitted, so don't let the news leak out in front of others. Also, after dawn, invite Marquis Yongning to the Imperial Study and tell him that I had a dream last night about the Eldest Princess, and I felt sad. I want to discuss with Marquis Yongning about seeing Old Madam Xu."

Chen Wufu agreed, quickly took out a handkerchief from his pocket, used it to pick up the broken porcelain pieces from the ground one by one, wrapped them in a piece of paper, then wrapped them in the handkerchief again, and stuffed them into his pocket.

Emperor Liang Cheng sighed softly. He felt rather stifled being an emperor; he couldn't even let anyone know when he was angry.

Chen Wufu walked to the door of the Imperial Study and saw his young apprentice standing there. He stopped and said to him, "You stay here and guard this place well. You must not mention what happened just now to anyone. His Majesty does not allow you to go in, so do not go in. Do you understand?"

The young apprentice, being quite young, said timidly, "Master, I understand."

Chen Wufu nodded, then, remembering the packet of broken porcelain shards he was still carrying in his arms, turned and went back to his room.

As soon as it was dawn, Chen Wufu took a carriage to the Xu family. After telling Marquis Yongning what had happened in the middle of the night, Marquis Yongning was shocked. Chen Wufu advised, "My lord, with the Third Madam here, we will surely be able to turn misfortune into good fortune."

Marquis Yongning hurriedly called for people to help him change his clothes. While changing, he said to Chen Wufu, "This plague is a matter of utmost importance. If one gets infected, it can be fatal. Zhaoci rushed over without even thinking about how worried we old folks at home are. No, I must send someone to the Chen family immediately and ask them to send someone over as well. I heard that the old imperial physician Chen's father once went with a group of doctors to treat people who had contracted the plague."

Chen Wufu quickly stopped him, saying, "My lord, the letter last night was delivered by carrier pigeon by the Imperial Guard. The Imperial Guard went there on other business. If you make such a big fuss, it won't be good for outsiders to know. Judging by the days, the memorial from Miaozhou should arrive in the next day or two. It will be reasonable for you to go to the Chen family to ask for help then."

Marquis Yongning, who was already dressed, was anxious and urged Chen Wufu to leave quickly.

The two men sat in Chen Wufu's carriage. Marquis Yongning tugged at Chen Wufu's sleeve and asked in a low voice, "What does His Majesty mean by this? Our Zhaoci cannot put himself in danger to share His Majesty's worries for nothing."

Chen Wufu said helplessly, "My lord, what do you want to do? This old servant knows that the Third Madam is kind and compassionate. With her around, the people of Miaozhou are blessed. His Majesty said that this plague can only be dealt with by the Third Madam. Our Great Liang was spared a catastrophe because of the Third Madam."

This is a great compliment. Indeed, if Chen Zhaoci hadn't insisted on making medical rounds, and if the sick people from Zhoujia Village had been allowed to roam freely, the entire Yun'an County and even many places in Miaozhou might have suffered greatly. If it had come to that, it wouldn't have been something Chen Zhaoci could have saved. If this epidemic was difficult to cure, then we would have had to make the painful decision to isolate and execute all the people in the epidemic area.

The Great Yan is now eyeing the Great Liang like a wild dog, constantly watching it and ready to pounce and bite at any opportunity. The Great Liang really cannot afford to make any further moves now.

Upon entering the imperial study, before Marquis Yongning could even offer his greetings, Emperor Liang Cheng stopped him, saying, "Let's skip these formalities for now, Marquis Yongning. I invited you here to ask you how we should deal with this epidemic."

Marquis Yongning said, "Your Majesty, shouldn't we invite Chief Minister Feng and Prime Minister Fu to discuss this matter?"

Emperor Liang Cheng sighed and said, "I won't beat around the bush with you. We need to discuss it with them. We need to wait for the report from Yun'an County to arrive. I invited you here because I wanted to ask you what we need to do before the court comes up with a solution."

Marquis Yongning thought for a moment and said, "With Zhao Ci here, I believe she must be confident in staying to treat the people suffering from the plague. Just now, Eunuch Chen told me about what the magistrate of Yun'an County has done. I must ask Your Majesty to secretly send some more people there, as well as some grain and medicine, which are urgently needed there right now."

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