249. I've never seen such a stupid idiot.

The magistrate's smile froze, and he hesitated, rubbing his hands. "Well... the houses in the east of the city have been empty for more than half a year. Some of the roofs are even leaking. Clearing snow and reinforcing them is no small matter, and our county office doesn't have enough manpower. Besides, if those patients move in, how will people live in those houses in the future?"

Xie Wenling was getting fed up with these stupid questions: "If we don't have enough manpower, we'll transfer some from the county government's yamen runners! If that's still not enough, we'll mobilize the uninfected people in the city; the imperial court will provide subsidies!"

"As for people living in them? You mean these houses were uninhabited before, and after plague patients lived in them, suddenly people wanted to live in them, is that right?"

"And do you mean that these houses can't be disinfected and demolished to rebuild, but have to be preserved intact as souvenirs?"

"Are you so fixated on these things that you want to watch the patients freeze to death in the tent?"

The magistrate was so embarrassed by his retort that he didn't dare to argue back and could only meekly agree.

Before Xie Wenling could even catch his breath, he leaned closer and whispered, "Lord Xie, the county office is running low on shovels and planks for clearing snow. Could you perhaps get some from here?"

"Also, the patients said they need to bring their luggage when they move, right? Who should pack it?"

"If anything is lost, our county government can't afford the responsibility..."

"Enough!" Xie Wenling coughed suddenly, feeling a tightness in his chest.

Shenyang Nong quickly helped him up and angrily shouted at the county magistrate and others, "Are you here to help or to cause trouble?"

"If you don't have enough shovels and planks, just borrow them from the carpenters in town. Do you want to embezzle money?"

"Besides, how much personal luggage can a patient have?"

"We will provide them with quilts, food, and medicine. How many personal items could they possibly have?"

"And if they lose it, we can't afford the consequences... They are all ordinary people, they are all sick and in quarantine, how can they come dressed in gold and silver?"

"That's ridiculous! Let them clean it up themselves, why are you all worrying about it?"

"Get out there and get on with your business. Any more delays and you'll lose your jobs!"

Seeing that they were truly angry, and noticing Xie Wenling's serious illness, the magistrate finally dared not utter another word and hurriedly led his clerks away, almost tripping over the threshold as he left.

Watching their disheveled figures, Xie Wenling leaned against the headboard, caught his breath, and began to cough violently again.

idiot!

He had never seen such a stupid idiot!

Shenyang Nong quickly handed him warm water: "Sir Xie, please don't get angry with them, your health is the most important thing!"

Xie Wenling took a sip of warm water and calmed himself down before saying, "I'm fine... Have someone keep an eye on them and make sure they don't slack off. The patient transfer can't be delayed; if it's delayed any longer, who knows how many more people will die."

He said, struggling to get out of bed: "I have to go check on the progress; I can't rest easy."

Shenyang Nong quickly pressed him down: "How can you get out of bed now? It's still cold outside. If your condition worsens, things will be in complete chaos here! I'll have someone keep an eye on things and report back immediately if there's any news. Just lie down and take your medicine and rest."

-

Meanwhile, in Huaqu City.

The Prince of Zhennan sat on a tiger-skin chair, holding a hand warmer in his hands. Charcoal was burning in the room, and fresh fruits, a rarity in winter, were laid out in front of him.

After the snow stopped, he sent someone to check the situation. The returning guards said that the snow in Qiuhe City was almost knee-deep, many tents had collapsed, and even Xie Wenling had fallen ill.

He felt both relieved and flustered.

Sun Weicai, a trusted aide, stood to the side and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, are you really going to help Xie Wenling?"

"You can't go help now! Xie Wenling is seriously ill. If you go, he'll ask you to mobilize troops and supplies. Will you give them to him or not?"

“If you give it to them, your hidden troops and provisions will be exposed.”

"I won't give it to him. If he recovers, he'll definitely report you to the Emperor!"

The Prince of Zhennan frowned, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest: "But if I don't go, what if Xie Wenling can't hold on? If the court blames me, as a prince of a fiefdom, I won't be able to escape responsibility. Besides, if Xie Wenling dies here, won't the emperor suspect that I deliberately didn't save him?"

Sun Weicai leaned forward, his eyes fierce: "Your Highness, this is our chance!"

"This blizzard is a godsend for us! You can use the excuse that 'the snow is heavy and the roads are slippery, making it difficult for vehicles to travel' to temporarily avoid seeing Xie Wenling and also avoid allocating supplies to him."

"If Xie Wenling dies in a few days, we'll say the snow was too heavy and the news traveled too slowly to get timely help."

"Even if he didn't die, he must have been severely weakened and wouldn't have the energy to care about your affairs anymore."

"Then you can send someone to deliver some provisions over there, pretending to offer condolences. Who would suspect you then?"

The Prince of Zhennan's heart stirred, but he still hesitated: "But what if Xie Wenling is tough and survives? He knows I'm deliberately delaying, and he definitely won't let me go."

Sun Weicai continued to persuade him: "Your Highness, think about it. Xie Wenling is sick and exhausted right now. His subordinates are either sick or busy treating patients. How can they have the energy to investigate your affairs?"

"Besides, we're only delaying for a few days; it doesn't mean we're completely ignoring it."

"Wait a few days, then have someone clear a small path, take a small amount of food and supplies, and say that there was really no other way but to clear this one path."

Even if Xie Wenling harbors resentment, he can't find any fault with you.

"If he really can't hold on these next few days..."

"That's just bad luck for him, it has nothing to do with you."

The Prince of Zhennan remained silent.

He recalled the letter from before plotting a rebellion, and the emperor's trust in Xie Wenling; fear and ambition tugged at his heart.

He was afraid that Xie Wenling would return alive and complain to him.

He was even more afraid of having his power stripped away.

Finally, he took a deep breath, his eyes turning ruthless: "Fine, do as you say! Tell people that the snow is too heavy, clearing the roads will take time, and we can't go to Qiuhe City for the time being. Also, don't send supplies to Xie Wenling. We'll talk about it in a few days."

Sun Weicai smiled and quickly bowed in agreement.

Outside, the cold wind picked up again, whipping up the snow on the ground and making a rustling sound as it hit the walls.

-

Qiuhe City.

East of the city.

Soldiers and civilians are braving the cold wind to clear the snow.

Xie Wenling suddenly opened his eyes, cold sweat streaming down his face.

He couldn't hold on any longer and fell into a deep sleep for a while.

He struggled to sit up, but as soon as he moved, a dull pain shot through his chest, and he couldn't help but cough violently.

Wei Changshan, the attendant standing by his side, quickly stepped forward to support him: "Lord Xie, how did you wake up? Should we call Imperial Physician Shen over?"

Xie Wenling waved his hand, panting, and said, "No need... help me up, I'm going to take a look around."

Wei Changshan tried to dissuade him, but he couldn't stop him at all.

Left with no other choice, Wei Changshan could only wrap a thick cloak around him and help him slowly walk out of the medical tent.

A thin layer of frost had accumulated on the snow outside, making a crunching sound when stepped on. The cold wind felt like knives scraping against his face, but Xie Wenling was completely oblivious.

He first went to the house that had just been cleared out, where the charcoal fire was still burning.

He chose this place not only because no one lived here, but more importantly, because he had observed that the houses here were built in rows, with many small rooms.

It's perfect for isolation.

Most of the patients inside were asleep, and a few medical staff were making rounds.

"How is the situation?" Xie Wenling asked softly.

A medical worker turned around with a serious expression: "Reporting to Lord Xie, things are relatively stable tonight, except that two elderly people are breathing a little weakly. We have been decocting medicine according to the prescription of the County Princess Fukang, and we hope they can pull through."

Xie Wenling nodded and then looked around again.

Five rows of houses have been cleared out, and soldiers are carrying charcoal into the houses, while several civilians are helping.

"Will all the patients be transferred on time by evening?" Xie Wenling asked the soldier in charge.

"Yes!" The soldier nodded vigorously. "If we work harder, we can definitely transfer all the patients over before dark."

Xie Wenling breathed a sigh of relief and was about to turn back to the medical tent when he saw Shen Yangong hurriedly walking over with a bowl of medicine, his face solemn: "Lord Xie, why did you come out? Go back and lie down! This is the medicine I brewed for you, drink it while it's hot."

As he spoke, he handed over the bowl of medicine, adding, "There aren't many usable herbs left. Although the Lady of Fukang's prescription is effective, we don't have many herbs left. If we can't find more, I'm afraid..."

Xie Wenling took the medicine bowl. The bitter taste of the medicine made his throat tighten, but he still drank it all in one gulp.

"I understand." He put down the medicine bowl and said to Wei Changshan, "Take a few men to the camp of the Prince of Zhennan immediately and tell him that Qiuhe City is in dire need of medicinal materials. Ask him to send supplies over as soon as possible. If there is any further delay, you will bear the consequences."

Wei Changshan responded and left. Xie Wenling watched his figure disappear into the snow, but he didn't feel very confident.

He didn't know if the Prince of Zhennan would use various excuses to avoid it, just like before.