"Xie Xuan! Don't be so arrogant! If you're so capable, let's have another contest of poetry, guqin, or chess! I don't believe you can beat us in all of them!"
One of them, unable to tolerate Xie Xuan's arrogant demeanor, stepped forward and shouted.
Immediately, everyone echoed this sentiment, wanting to continue competing with Xie Xuan in other areas.
Xie Xuan, however, simply scoffed.
"laugh!"
"Do you think I'm as carefree as you are?! I rushed here from the capital as soon as I heard about the plague in Fukang County. I'll be heading there first thing tomorrow morning to do my part for the people of Fukang!"
"As a man of Qi, I should be full of passion. I thought that the men of Jinzhou should all be like me, worried about the epidemic in Fukang County, but I never expected them to be so decadent and dissolute!"
The talented scholars felt extremely embarrassed upon hearing Xie Xuan's words.
People from the capital came all the way to help with the plague in Fukang County, but those from Jinzhou didn't seem to care much about it.
Tao Rong was so angry that his face turned red and white in turns, but he still found a loophole in Xie Xuan's words.
"Young Master Xie, you speak with such righteous indignation! Since you came here because of the plague in Fukang County, why did you come to this brothel?"
The others realized what was happening and quickly spoke up: "Young Master Tao is right! You're not just saying you're going to Fukang County, but are actually just a fame-seeker!"
However, Xie Xuan shrugged without any panic, "I'm just a little short on cash, so I thought I'd come here to win some money and then buy some supplies to send to Fukang County!"
After saying that, he looked at Zhou Xun not far away and said, "Young Master Zhou, you are a man of your word. You have paid a fair price for this thousand taels of silver. It is your contribution to the people of Fukang County!"
Where would Zhou Xun possibly have a thousand taels of silver on him?!
So they turned to Tao Rong for help, since it was Tao Rong who had agreed to the bet.
Tao Rong didn't bring that much silver with him, after all, when he accepted the bet, he didn't expect Xie Xuan to win.
Xie Xuan noticed their predicament and was about to make a sarcastic remark when Yue'er, the girl on the stage, suddenly spoke up: "Young Master Xie is very righteous. Although Yue'er is a woman, she was born and raised in Jinzhou. Yue'er has no other skills, but she is willing to donate fifty taels of silver in the hope of doing her part for the people of Fukang County."
"Young Master Xie, please wait a moment, Yue'er will be right back!"
After saying that, Yue'er ran upstairs, clearly to get the silver.
With Yue'er taking the lead, the other girls in the building also said they wanted to donate money.
With so many young masters and gentlemen present, they couldn't let Yue'er take all the good reputation for herself!
Money can be earned again. As long as those men can be kept happy, hundreds of taels of silver can be earned in just one night.
Seeing that the courtesans were donating money, the men present, being men themselves, naturally couldn't remain silent, so they also opened their money pouches.
I knew people from Jinzhou were rich, but I never imagined they were this rich.
Xie Xuan looked at the crowd trying to stuff silver into his hands, took a step back, and then shouted loudly, "What do you take me for?! The women in this building are unable to go to Fukang County, so to show their appreciation, they are offering some silver."
But what about you?! You have hands and feet, yet you only think about giving money without putting in any effort!
Before coming to Jinzhou, I thought the men of Jinzhou were all upright and honorable, but now it seems they are all cowards!
Most of those present were scholars, and many were in their prime. After Xie Xuan said that, some of them didn't think much of it and immediately clamored to go to Fukang County.
Seeing that his goal had been achieved, Xie Xuan hurriedly added, "His Majesty has sent Princess Yong'an to govern the plague in Fukang County. You may not have heard of Princess Yong'an, but even the Empress Dowager has praised her medical skills!"
Princess Yong'an has already informed people about the plague in Fukang County, saying that as long as one does not eat the food or drink the water there, one will be safe and sound.
"If I unfortunately contract the plague, it's alright. The princess gave me a prescription, saying that if I follow this prescription to get the medicine, I'll recover in less than three days."
As Xie Xuan spoke, he took out a piece of paper from his pocket, "I was narrow-minded before and misunderstood you all. Since you all have such enthusiasm, I am willing to share this prescription!"
"The State of Qi has people like you with lofty aspirations; it shall enjoy a golden age that lasts a hundred years!"
"With passionate men like you in Jinzhou, the plague in Fukang County will surely be eradicated!"
Seeing that Xie Xuan, who had been arrogant, had suddenly softened his attitude and admitted his mistake, everyone felt much better.
But after hearing Xie Xuan's next words, they realized that they had been fooled by Xie Xuan!
Now that Xie Xuan has put them in a difficult position, even if they really don't want to go to Fukang County, they feel embarrassed not to go.
"Is the prescription given by Princess Yong'an really effective?"
Some people have raised questions.
After all, none of the people present were fools, and they didn't want to be tricked by Xie Xuan into going to their deaths in Fukang County.
But Xie Xuan said seriously, "If you don't trust me, do you not trust the Emperor and the Empress Dowager?!"
Why did His Majesty send only a woman, the Princess Consort of Yong'an, to Fukang County instead of anyone else?
It was precisely because of Princess Yong'an's excellent medical skills that she was able to cure this plague!
Furthermore, Princess Yong'an is currently pregnant. Do you really think the Emperor would risk his eldest grandson's life? Would Princess Yong'an risk the child in her womb?!
Surprise was evident in everyone's eyes.
Is Princess Yong'an pregnant?
If that's the case, then the prescription must be genuine!
"Since there is a prescription, why doesn't Princess Yong'an send it to Fukang County?"
Xie Xuan had already prepared an explanation: "The Princess Consort of Yong'an only developed the prescription yesterday and will set off for Fukang County tomorrow. The city gates of Fukang County are currently closed, and most of the government officials inside are likely infected with the plague. They are short of manpower there, so I am preparing to go in with the Princess Consort."
Seeing your enthusiasm and your willingness to travel with me to Fukang County, I imagine His Majesty would be extremely pleased if he knew.
Once I return to the capital, I will certainly not hesitate to spread the word about your assistance in Fukang County!
Hearing Xie Xuan say this, those who were about to back out completely gave up on the idea.
Xie Xuan has already invoked the Emperor's name; how dare they not go?
Those who went there, Xie Xuan would spread the word without hesitation after returning to the capital.
Those who don't go will likely be given special "attention" by Xie Xuan.
Of course, some of these talented individuals came from less affluent backgrounds and hoped to gain a good reputation through this.
In short, everyone had different thoughts and their own reasons or ulterior motives, but without exception, the vast majority of them were going to Fukang County with Xie Xuan.
As Tao Rong watched the crowd gradually leave, he also prepared to depart, but unexpectedly, Xie Xuan called him back.
"Young Master Tao, you'll be going tomorrow too, right? I'll be waiting for you at the city gate."
"Oh, right, and this young master Zhou, don't forget to bring your money too!"
"As for bowing and apologizing, there's no need. Just ask that Young Master Tao and Young Master Zhou put in more effort regarding the plague in Fukang County!"
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