Chapter 1467: The Solution (Part 2) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]

The man almost laughed out of anger.

Who is forcing whom right now?

Even holding the sword to his own neck couldn't elicit the slightest sympathy. Ning Tunan himself wouldn't step forward; instead, he pushed his only daughter forward to confront her grandfather. He was almost certain that if he, this old man, were to commit suicide here today, the result wouldn't be the city gates opening wide, but rather the slaughter of all the elderly and weak members of the Ning family behind him, a river of blood flowing. Thinking of this, his right hand, gripping the sword, trembled uncontrollably, his heart filled with sorrow, and he could only sigh.

In terms of ruthlessness, he is indeed no match for Ning Yan.

He never imagined that the child who used to cling to him and call him "Father" would one day drive him to this point. What kind of feelings could a country that had only been established for a little over ten years possibly have? What was there to be attached to in a high-ranking official position and a generous salary? How could Ning Tunan abandon his family, his clan, and send his blood relatives to their deaths against his conscience? How cold-blooded, how heartless, how heartbreaking!

Throughout a thousand years of chaos, nations have been destroyed and rebuilt, only to be destroyed again.

Too frequent and cheap, how can it compare to blood relatives?

"Aunt, please think it over."

My granddaughter's voice was like a ghost, always following me.

The man sighed, his shoulders hunching even more in that instant, as if an invisible force had drained his energy. Before everyone's eyes, he lowered his sword and sheathed it. Seeing this, the guard finally breathed a sigh of relief; if the man had truly died, everything would have been over.

Fortunately, the old man still had some sense.

“Recently, there have been bandits causing trouble in the city. To ensure the safety of Grandfather and his siblings, I will personally escort them back to the manor. I haven’t seen Grandfather in a long time and miss him dearly.” The grandfather and grandson took this opportunity to enjoy a family reunion and strengthen their bond.

The man's gaze seemed to be trying to see through the girl to her mother.

He sneered, turned around, mounted his horse, and said, "Let's head back home."

The four words seemed to be squeezed out of his back teeth.

It was clear to anyone with eyes that after this incident, the father-daughter relationship between him and Ning Yan was almost completely destroyed. Even if this ordeal passed, the two families might sever all ties and never see each other again. The young girl mounted her horse and followed, with her soldiers flanking her closely.

The soldiers, clad in full armor, silenced the onlookers.

How could they dare to commit crimes against the wind?

The headless corpse on the ground serves as a warning.

The entire Ning family was sent back without exception, and the officials who had secretly instigated and facilitated this situation remained silent and uneasy.

They were terrified.

He feared that the Ning family father and son would expose him, that Ning Yan would use them as an example to deter those with ulterior motives, and that the master would settle scores when he returned.

"This father and son are truly useless. They were intimidated by Ning Tunan and forced back. One is her father, and the other is her brother. Which of their identities can't they use to their advantage? Does Ning Tunan have the guts to kill his father and brother in the street?" To put it bluntly, it's still intimidation and pressure through sheer force.

The Ning father and son's aura was significantly weaker.

"Yes, we missed the best opportunity to make it through."

They wanted to see public opinion escalate, forcing Ning Tunan to back down.

Without the Ning father and son taking the lead, they couldn't even use this as an excuse to cause trouble. In an instant, countless people angrily pounded the table, gritting their teeth at Ning Yan's actions: "The epidemic in the city is severe, and Ning Tunan's refusal to release people is tantamount to denying us a way to survive! We will avenge this in our lifetime!"

The Ning family residence.

The young girl smiled as she saw a group of relatives off back to their hometown.

There were no onlookers nearby, and her maternal grandfather and maternal uncle looked displeased. Not wanting to stay and make a fool of herself, she cupped her hands in farewell and prepared to leave.

"Heh, you talk a good game in front of others, but then you turn your back on them behind their backs. Now that there are no outsiders around, you're not even willing to keep up the act?"

Faced with her grandfather's sarcastic remarks, the girl said honestly, "Grandpa doesn't want to see his grandson either, and grandson doesn't want to be embarrassed."

"What a twisted tactic! You've said both the good and the bad."

The man clutched his chest, nearly overcome with rage.

The eldest son, standing to one side, reached out to support his elderly father, his dissatisfaction with his young niece evident in his deep resentment. This discontent stemmed from the previous generation.

The family was not large, with several children dying young and even fewer daughters surviving. As the elder brother, he initially liked his younger sister Ningyan very much, and the two were once very close. However, after Ningyan started attending the clan school with her brothers, the emotions he gained from Ningyan were not pure sibling affection but rather pressure and inferiority.

His father's praise was all for Ning Yan, and his disappointment was all for him, occasionally tinged with a hint of exasperation. He studied relentlessly, sleeping only two hours a day, yet he couldn't memorize as much as Ning Yan could in a few casual glances. The teacher's ruler, the father's punishment of copying.

Countless moments of anguish during my youth fermented and rotted into inner demons.

His initial pride in Ning Yan transformed into resentment. Love and hate intertwined, a tangled web that he couldn't unravel—why did a daughter destined for marriage have to be so outstanding? And why make him suffer like this? Could his intelligent sister not understand his predicament?

Reason told him he shouldn't blame Ning Yan; he should blame his own mediocrity, and he should blame his father for using Ning Yan as a whetstone to hone the men of the Ning family—but self-analysis is never easy. How many people spend their entire lives unable to admit they are worthless?

It's only natural that he wouldn't accept reality.

As he reached middle age, he thought he could gradually let go of these feelings.

Unexpectedly, his children also lived in the shadow of Ning Yan's only daughter. From academy to officialdom, the former repeatedly failed the exams, while the latter rose through the ranks as easily as breathing. His colleagues occasionally cast meaningful glances at him, each one making him feel embarrassed.

It seems everyone is asking him—

Why not maintain contact with this illustrious relative? Is it because they don't want to? Even a small leak of resources from them can elevate one's entire family to great heights, right? How much did the Ning family have to do for Minister Ning to keep him separate from his maternal family? Is the Ning family reaping what they sow?

He was subjected to sarcastic remarks from his colleagues, and when his wife went out to a banquet, busybodies would subtly probe her, always managing to bring up Ning Yan in every comment.

The couple had suffered so much over the years that they could talk about it for days and nights.

He had become immune to setbacks, but his wife, who hadn't had much contact with her sister-in-law Ning Yan, was holding a grudge and refused to admit defeat. She spent every day of the year urging her children not to be overshadowed by Ning Yan's daughter. He felt both exhausted and frustrated watching this.

Every time their children come home from school, the whole family wears a sour face.

Therefore, he didn't give his niece a friendly look.

Today's events have caused this displeasure to grow exponentially.

He pursed his lips and said, "Go back and tell your mother that she shouldn't be too smug this time. Regardless of whether the epidemic in the city can be contained, her actions today will make her countless enemies, and everyone in the court and the public will be her adversaries. You can't guard against a thief for a thousand days if you're a thief for a thousand days."

"Even my uncle said it was a thief. What official is afraid of a thief?"

"Fine, what a sharp tongue." Hearing his well-intentioned reminder being met with sarcasm from the girl, his anger flared even more. He said in shame and indignation, "Then I'll see how Ning Yan will quell this."

The girl realized that her words had been too harsh, so she softened her tone a bit. To be honest, her grandfather and uncle hadn't intended to make things difficult for their mother by running away. They only wanted to send their children and elderly relatives away so that they could stay behind and give their mother an explanation. Their intentions were good.

only--

The mother couldn't accept this kindness.

The girl explained that whether they were willing to listen or not was their business.

"It is only natural for commoners to panic and seek survival, but you, Uncle and Grandfather, are different. Mother is deeply favored by the Emperor and oversees the country, and you, Uncle, are officials in the court. Regardless of any discord among yourselves, you are still one family in the eyes of outsiders. When Kang Kingdom was in turmoil, instead of thinking of working together and sharing the burden, the Ning family took the lead in sending their relatives to escape. If this were known to the common people and the officials in the court, it would surely cause a great uproar and make countless people feel cold and disgusted... There is no such thing as enjoying rights without bearing obligations!"

Civil and military officials were the biggest beneficiaries of the Kangguo state, a large and powerful nation.

Their families also benefited.

Naturally, they also set an example without hesitation when faced with challenges.

Don't say they didn't enjoy many benefits. How many children of officials were enrolled in the public academies under the Imperial Academy? Was the entrance difficulty the same for them as for those from poor families? Were the exam requirements the same, and did they receive the same information before the exam? Didn't they enjoy the peace and tranquility that Kangguo had enjoyed for the past ten years or so? There's no reason why they could just pack up and run away when a natural disaster came.

"It's okay if you don't understand these principles."

The troops of the Four Guards were already waiting outside the gate.

The girl said, "Swords and blades will make people understand."

She couldn't be reasoned with, and she also knew a little about martial arts.

Having said this, without waiting for his grandparents' reaction, he bowed and took his leave, turning to depart. Only after a heavy sigh echoed from afar behind him: "Foolish children, are you not even afraid of death?"

The girl tilted her head slightly, looking up at the azure sky.

He said, "When my father died, he probably wasn't afraid."

If you embrace your ideals and die, then death is no longer a source of fear.

Martyrdom destroys the physical body, but the spirit endures.

Supported by his son, Old Master Ning watched the young woman, sword in hand, disappear at the end of the street, remaining silent for a long time. His son, both angry and anxious, grumbled, "How did Tu Nan raise his daughter? Is Yan Xingning some kind of good role model?"

As a father, he would rather his children be a little weak and live peacefully. But Ning Tunan taught his daughter to be indifferent to life and death.

Old Master Ning sighed, "We are just ordinary people."

The main reason why the two companies are drifting apart is their differing philosophies.

He waved for the servants to close the door, and then remained inside.

This farce has finally come to an end.

The young girl rode her horse out onto the long street, and at the end she saw a familiar figure. She happily dismounted and exclaimed, "Mother, what brings you here?"

Ning Yan said, "Come and take a look."

"Azu and the others are really angry this time."

Ning Yan knew it even with her toes: "This is not surprising."

“Aunt and the others still care about Mother, but…” Her only family is her mother and half an older brother who grew up with her. Her family is small and straightforward, so they don’t really understand the complexities of large families.

Love is love, and not loving is not loving.

Why is there still a mix of love and hate?

“Not all blood ties in this world can be completely honest with each other. Even between fathers and daughters, brothers and sisters, there can be barriers.” Ning Yan turned her head to look at her daughter, who was in the prime of her youth. She felt gratified but also a little guilty. “Ultimately, it’s just a matter of fate.”

The daughter is about half a head taller than Ning Yan.

With a face full of affection, he took his mother's arm and rested his forehead against her shoulder.

"Mother, you still have me."

Ning Yan smiled and said, "What do you shout during official business?"

The girl drawled, "Ning~ Xiang~"

Ning Yan flicked her finger along the bridge of her nose: "You naughty child."

The girl wrinkled her nose, leaned back, and revealed a charming and innocent side she had never shown before: "Mother, Uncle has something to tell you."

It was that warning that had made countless enemies in the court.

Ning Yan said worriedly, "How could I not know?"

The girl nuzzled her shoulder with her face: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. No one is allied with Mother, but your daughter is your ally. In twenty or thirty years, your daughter will also become a prime minister. At that time, with two prime ministers in one family, they can only watch helplessly no matter how much they hate each other. Just like this, hehehe."

He made a funny, droopy face, which made Ning Yan laugh.

He ruffled his daughter's hair with his large hand: "Okay."

It's possible for one family to have two prime ministers, but by then Ning Yan should have stepped down. Whether for the sake of Kangguo or to repay her lord.

The mother and daughter enjoyed a rare moment of relaxation amidst the high-pressure environment.

The unrest in Fengluo was also suppressed by the daytime conflict.

They can still tell the difference between dying from illness and dying immediately.

Some have tried to target the Four Commanders' Prefecture. Ning Yan's ability to control everything in Fengluo ultimately stems from the fact that the Four Commanders' Prefecture's troops are under her command and obey her orders. With a single command, they can easily slaughter any household in the city. Once this reliance is lost, they are no longer a threat.

The result, of course, was exactly what everyone was happy to see.

The entire Four Commanders' Office is absolutely loyal to the sovereign.

They would only be loyal to Shen Tang, and before Shen Tang went to war, he gave the power to mobilize the Four Commanderies to Ning Yan, the regent. Therefore, during the regent's reign, Ning Yan was the one they had to obey; no one else could change their minds. Trying to turn them against him right away would only leave them with ammunition against them.

Ning Yan glanced at the intelligence report, chuckled, and tossed it aside.

He said, "They're courting death."

So easily flustered, and you actually dare to fight her?

"Riding a donkey while reading a script, we'll see how it goes."

Ning Yan's mind is currently focused on the epidemic, and she simply doesn't have the extra energy to deal with these people. When she has time, she'll naturally settle things with them one by one—enemies? Political enemies? They won't take the initiative, and Ning Yan won't leave any potential threats for herself; none of them will have an easy time!

Half a month has passed since the first case was reported.

The number of battlefield patients at the temporary medical station surged to over 1,200. More than 100 died; their bodies could only be cremated, and their ashes buried several meters underground. The remaining patients, though fed through tubes, were visibly emaciated, their cheeks sunken, and they wailed constantly. They were forced to switch to raw food to slow their decline. Even the manpower allocated by the Four Garrisons was becoming insufficient to care for them.

“A total of thirty-seven patients have also appeared in areas outside of Fengluo. They are all currently under the care of the local military governors. The source of infection is not the water source but…” Miao Ne followed behind Ning Yan, reading the memorial as they walked. She paused and said, “…the people who escaped.”

Ning Yan said, "Not surprising."

No matter how many precautions you take, it's impossible to be completely foolproof.

This is the limit of what can be achieved by delaying it for so many days.

Miao Ne felt compelled to speak: "Prime Minister Ning, although various regions are doing their utmost to combat the epidemic, they are not as concerned as you are. The spread is no slower than in Fengluo. I dare to offer my advice—"

She took a deep breath: "Kill them."

For any patients other than Feng Luo, kill them all.

While it's still not out of control!

This is also the optimal solution given the current manpower shortage. Killing a patient requires far fewer people than treating them until a cure is achieved, and it's also much safer. Even the capital city of Fengluo is struggling to cope. Miao Ne was getting anxious watching this.

The usually decisive Prime Minister Ning hesitated to give the order.

Ning Yan: "You know you're being audacious? Don't mention it again."

If Dong Dao hadn't mentioned it, Ning Yan would have already done it.

"Report—"

"An unexpected incident has occurred at the temporary medical facility!"

Ning Yan seemed to sense something and suddenly looked up.

Just then, I witnessed the auspicious glow of the setting sun, with its myriad rays of light, and the sounds of phoenixes and dragons.

(*^o^)人(^o^*)