When they arrived at the governor's mansion, Ning Xihua asked to meet the governor.
Although he had not received the visiting card in advance, the guard at the door still went to report respectfully after learning the identity of the visitor.
When Zhao Yukang received the news, he immediately welcomed the person in.
"I didn't know that Princess Yuexi was coming to visit. I'm sorry for not coming to greet her."
Zhao Yukang was very respectful. After all, she was the future Crown Princess and the legitimate daughter of Prince Ning. He did not dare to neglect her.
"Master Zhao, you are so polite. It is my sudden visit that disturbed you."
Zhao Yukang said amiably, "No, no, you are too polite, princess."
Ning Xihua believed that Zhao Yukang had a clean face and proper manners, and did not look like an official who was doing nothing, not to mention that he was Su Bi's man.
So she didn't bother to beat around the bush and said, "This visit is because of the plague."
Seeing that she got straight to the point, Zhao Yukang also became serious, "To be honest with you, Princess, I had already consulted a doctor to confirm the plague the day I received the news from the Ning family, and I immediately reported the matter to the court. It's just that Yizhou is far away, and I haven't received the order from above yet."
"But now people are still gathering together, the plague will only spread more seriously."
Zhao Yukang looked embarrassed. "But Yizhou is located in the heart of Jiangnan, and there are not many soldiers guarding it. If the people knew about the plague and a riot broke out, we would not be able to suppress it at all."
Ning Xihua knew that he had concerns. Politicians always prioritize political results rather than the interests of the people.
"But Lord Zhao, have you ever thought about this? It's not just Yizhou. If the plague spreads out of the city and endangers nearby Beijing while we're waiting for the imperial edict, it would be more troublesome than a riot by the people."
Zhao Yukang had thought about it. But as an official for many years, he knew that the more you do, the more mistakes you make. He had already ordered the intensification of the inspection of people entering and leaving the city, and was waiting for the court to send troops to support him before dealing with the epidemic.
If he acted on his own and went against the emperor's will, not only would his own black veil be in jeopardy, but it would also affect and implicate His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
Seeing that he was still hesitant, Ning Xihua took out the private seal that Su Bi had given her before leaving.
"Your Highness said that seeing this chapter is like seeing him in person, but I wonder if Lord Zhao still recognizes this chapter?"
Zhao Yukang took the seal, confirmed that it was the Crown Prince's private seal, and bowed to Ning Xihua again.
He originally thought that Princess Yue Xi was just the Crown Prince's choice for marriage, and was just a future Crown Princess who needed to be kept in the public eye. He didn't expect that His Royal Highness trusted her so much that he even gave her the private seal that could drive him around.
"Please give your orders, my lady. I will obey your orders."
Ning Xihua breathed a sigh of relief and said, "The most urgent task is to ask you to seal the gates of Yizhou to prevent the plague from spreading."
Before Zhao Yukang could respond, a guard came up and reported to him.
After hearing the news, Zhao Yukang gave Ning Xihua a bitter smile.
"My Lord, it's too late for you to say this. I just received news that the gates of Yizhou have been sealed from the outside. No one can leave Yizhou now."
Ning Xihua was stunned. So fast?
According to Zhao Yukang, the memorial he submitted was sent out only three days later. From the capital to Yizhou, it would take at least ten days for the letter to be delivered, regardless of whether it was delivered by express couriers at 800 miles or by pigeons.
The decree to seal off the city arrived today, which means that at least ten days ago, the capital had received news of the plague in Yizhou.
At that time, Yizhou had just shown signs of an increase in deaths.
Did someone foresee the future, or was this plague simply a conspiracy?
Zhao Yukang also keenly discovered the unusualness of this matter. After Yizhou was sealed off, all the people in the city became trapped beasts.
If it is to prevent the plague from spreading, it would be fine to send people to support, but if His Majesty decides to abandon the city...
He didn't dare think about it anymore.
Before he could discuss countermeasures with Princess Yuexi, another guard came to report.
This time, the guard didn't care that there were other people present and reported it loudly and anxiously.
"Sir, the people in the city have learned from somewhere that there is a plague, and they just learned that the city gates are sealed. Now they are all gathered near the city gates, clamoring to leave the city. The troops stationed outside said that anyone who leaves the city will be killed without mercy. Our soldiers guarding the city can no longer hold on!"
…
Ten days ago, in the capital.
Su Bi once again took out the letter sent back by Ning Xihua and read it from beginning to end. Finally, she carefully pinched the wind-dried red maple leaf, and the corners of her mouth curled up unconsciously.
Chang Yi sighed. This was the one hundred and first time that his Highness had been reminded of someone by looking at maple leaves.
A guard came in and reported quietly, but Chang Yi stopped smiling all of a sudden and had to step forward to interrupt Su Bi's good mood.
"Your Highness, news has come from Yizhou that a plague has broken out, and His Majesty has issued an order to seal off the city. He is now summoning all the ministers to discuss the matter."
Inside Qian'an Hall.
All the ministers gathered together and the atmosphere was solemn.
"There is a plague in Yizhou. I have mobilized the city guards of the three surrounding cities to seal the gates of Yizhou. I need your opinions on how to deal with it now."
There was silence for a while, and finally someone stood up to speak.
"I think that Yizhou has a population of hundreds of thousands. If a riot breaks out due to the epidemic, the city guards of the three cities will find it difficult to resist. I ask Your Majesty to mobilize troops to suppress and prevent it in advance."
Su Bi took a look and saw that the person who spoke was the Minister of War, who was considered to be his father's man.
The Minister of Justice Sun Xueyao said, "I think that since ancient times, plague has killed 19 people. This is a natural disaster and can hardly be cured by human power. To prevent the plague from spreading and causing more deaths and injuries, we should defend Yizhou City to the death and not allow anyone to leave the city."
After hearing this, all the ministers looked at each other in bewilderment. Minister Sun was suggesting that His Majesty abandon the city.
Emperor Shao Yuan said nothing, seemingly lost in thought.
Although Sun Xueyao's words were cruel, they were not false. Since ancient times, plagues have been regarded as natural disasters that require emperors to issue edicts of guilt. Every plague disappears naturally after countless deaths and injuries, and it is difficult for human intervention.
Zhang Mo, the military governor, objected. "Yizhou is located in the heart of Jiangnan, with a prosperous trade, abundant farmland, and a population of hundreds of thousands. If we abandon the city, not only will there be corpses everywhere, but there will be no one to plant the farmland in Yizhou, and no one to manage the trade, which will be a heavy loss to our dynasty."
The ministers sighed.
Zhang Mo's words made sense. Yizhou was not a small county town with a population of tens of thousands, but had hundreds of thousands of people. Not only did it produce a lot of food, it was also the commercial center of Jiangnan. If the city was abandoned, the cost would be too high.
The Minister of Rites disagreed, "At a critical moment, we should be brave enough to take drastic measures. Although the cost is huge, it can protect the safety of the people in other nearby states and counties. Besides, the plague is rampant in Yizhou now. In such a natural disaster, who dares to enter the city to help?"
Su Bi's face turned slightly cold. The Minister of Rites had a close relationship with the Grand Tutor Zheng Rong. It seemed that not only Su Xu was involved in this matter, but also Su Han.
Before Su Bi could say anything, a loud voice came from outside the hall.
"Who said there is no one? Your Majesty is so wise, I want to see who has bad intentions and wants to abandon the family land of Prince Ning's Mansion!"