Chapter 281 Returning Home
The weather was good, and it was sunny these few days without rain.
On the night of May 19, Yu Cheng discussed matters with officials from Duanzhou and learned that the people in two villages were all infected with the disease and urgently needed medicine.
Yu Cheng asked the official in charge of the medicine: "How much is left?"
The official said: "According to the previous needs, it is enough for two days."
After thinking about it, Yu Cheng made a decision to keep only one day's supply of medicine in the city, and give the rest to the infected villages.
The villages are far away and in urgent need. It's different in the city. As long as Zhou Boxu comes back, he can immediately replenish it.
Yu Cheng believes that Zhou Boxu will bring back the medicine as scheduled.
On May 20, Yu Cheng sent people to inquire outside the city early in the morning, and Zhou Boxu reported back as soon as he arrived.
Yu Cheng did not go on patrol with Shen Changze that day. He patiently took care of business in the mansion and waited for Zhou Boxu.
Seeing that noon was approaching and the spies had not reported back, the prefect frowned and said, "There is still no news. Lord Zhou will not encounter any accidents on this trip, right? Or is he delayed by something?"
He was not questioning Zhou Boxu's ability, he was really anxious.
They had no more medicinal materials, and if Zhou Boxu did not come back today, he would have to stop taking medicine.
Yu Cheng firmly said, "Wait a little longer."
Having known Zhou Boxu for many years, he knew Zhou Boxu's character very well.
Zhou Boxu was a man who kept his promises and was punctual. He knew that the situation was serious and would overcome all difficulties to return on schedule.
Outside the house, the sun was shining brightly. The prefect was sweating all over his forehead. He didn't know whether it was because of anxiety or heat. He paced back and forth anxiously at the door.
Time always passes particularly slowly during the agonizing wait. It was only the time of a cup of tea, but it felt like a long wait.
"Report!" Finally, a figure rushed in from outside the door, crossed the courtyard and came to the hall.
"Your Highness, sir, Lord Zhou is back with medicinal herbs." The spy was panting and excited.
The prefect asked hurriedly: "How many medicinal herbs did you bring back? Are they enough?"
The spy said: "A lot, it must be enough."
"Let's go and meet them." Yu Cheng stood up happily and greeted them in person.
The carriage loaded with medicinal herbs was moving slowly. Yu Cheng and the prefect waited outside the gate of the mansion for a long time before the team appeared in sight.
Seeing the carts full of medicinal herbs, Yu Cheng and the prefect were overjoyed.
Duanzhou is saved.
The first two carriages stopped, and Dr. Zhou Boxu and Dr. Duzhong got out of the car and saluted.
"Your Highness."
"The common people Eucommia ulmoides have met His Royal Highness the Crown Prince." Eucommia ulmoides and the doctor knelt down to salute.
Yu Cheng said: "Sir, please get up quickly."
Eucommia ulmoides and the doctor got up.
Yu Cheng said gratefully: "Sir, your righteousness is really a blessing for the people of Duanzhou."
Eucommia said a little embarrassedly: "I heard that the imperial physician from the palace would come, and I came here because I wanted to compete with him."
Yu Cheng was startled, and responded quickly: "Sir, it's straightforward, the imperial physician from the palace should be here in the next two days."
Heroes don't ask where they come from, and righteousness doesn't care about the reason.
When an imperial doctor came, Eucommia ulmoides' eyes lit up.
It was already noon. Zhou Boxu had dinner with Yu Cheng and reported to Yu Cheng about the trip to Dabancheng.
After hearing this, Yu Cheng sighed and said, "I knew this trip would be difficult. I can only feel relieved if you can do it."
After buying enough medicinal herbs and inviting the strange doctor Du Zhong, he got back 80,000 taels. Zhou Boxu did a good job.
"It's the duty of a minister." Zhou Boxu was neither arrogant nor impatient.
Yu Cheng stared at his arm and asked, "Is the injury serious?"
Under the sleeve, only the bandaged arm was slightly bulging.
"It's okay. It will be fine after resting for half a month." Zhou Boxu said lightly.
Seeing that he looked tired and didn't want to say more, Yu Cheng stopped asking, "Eat, and rest after eating."
Along the way, the guards rushed during the day and needed to rest at night, so Zhou Boxu led the team to keep watch. He was on guard all night last night, and with the injury on his arm, he was indeed very tired.
Although he slept for half a day in the carriage, he had not slept in bed for several days and had a good rest, which was too much for even the strongest man.
Du Zhong and the doctor rested at night and were still energetic. After dinner, they went to the north of the city where the epidemic was most serious.
When the doctors stationed in the north of the city heard that it was the strange doctor Du Zhong, they were filled with respect. They all followed Du Zhong, told him about the past epidemic situation, and humbly learned from him.
"Is the situation the same in all places?" Du Zhong asked.
The doctor nodded: "It's almost the same, it just depends on the severity."
No matter how much he heard, he still needed to check it out.
Du Zhong tied a scarf to cover his mouth and nose and examined the infected people.
The diagnosis results were similar. Du Zhong checked the previous prescription and found that the effect was not ideal, so he decided to change the prescription.
Epidemics are different from other diseases. They are ever-changing and have no fixed nature. We need to try out effective prescriptions based on the actual situation.
Although they are the same medicines, the proportions of the ingredients are different. Adding or subtracting one or two ingredients will have very different effects.
Zhou Boxu slept for half a day to get enough rest. After dinner, he discussed matters with Yu Cheng, Shen Changze and others.
"Now that we have enough medicinal materials, the strange doctor has come to Duanzhou, and the imperial physician will arrive soon. Solving the epidemic is just around the corner."
After frowning for so long, the Duanzhou official finally smiled and felt a little relieved.
"In this case, we should start to solve the second problem." Yu Cheng said.
"The weather is getting hotter and hotter, and it is not a long-term solution for the people to live in sheds. We must let them return to normal life."
"This year's flood is rare. This is the first time I have seen it in Duanzhou in decades. Most of the houses have collapsed. Rebuilding is not easy."
"We have to rebuild them no matter how difficult it is." Yu Cheng said firmly.
Only by rebuilding the houses and allowing the people to return to normal life and be self-sufficient can Duanzhou be revived.
The officials of Duanzhou also knew that this was a must, and they discussed it immediately.
"Ask craftsmen and workers to buy wood..."
Zhou Boxu frowned and interrupted: "Are there no craftsmen among the people of Duanzhou?"
The prefect responded and said hurriedly, "Yes."
His mind was so busy that it was confused.
After getting a positive answer, Zhou Boxu said, "If we rely on external help, it will be very difficult to rebuild Duanzhou, and it will require a lot of money. But if we save ourselves, it will be much easier."
Yu Cheng suddenly realized, "You mean, let the people of Duanzhou build their own houses?"
Zhou Boxu nodded, "I see that the trees on the mountains outside Duanzhou are tall and strong, and there are many trees that were knocked down by the flood, which can be used."
"The workers will be selected from the strong men of the people, led by the government, and each will perform their duties."
Someone said, "What if they don't want to?"
Under normal circumstances, workers are paid. Now let them work for free, most people will definitely not want to.
This is human nature.
Yu Cheng made a prompt decision: "From tomorrow on, healthy men will no longer be given free porridge. Only those who work will have meals. In addition, they will be paid an appropriate salary so that they can have the capital to start a new life."
"The elderly, the weak, women and children can wash clothes, cook, deliver meals and water..."
The court will do its best to help, and the people should also be self-reliant. Otherwise, this disaster will have no end.
"Yes." The officials agreed.
It was late at night when the meeting was over. After everyone left, Yu Cheng said to Zhou Boxu: "You should set off to return to Shangjing tomorrow, otherwise the imperial sister will be anxious."
There are only fifteen days left before Zhou Boxu and Yu Lan's wedding, and the groom is still far away. Anyone would be anxious.
When they came to Duanzhou, they were escorting money and food, and the journey was a bit slow. But fifteen days is enough to return to Shangjing by car.
Thinking of Yu Lan, Zhou Boxu's heart surged and he was eager to return home.